The importance of choice in therapy: From the perspective of a, hopefully flexible, CBT practitioner

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to present a personal account of my therapeutic journey and to show how my practice of CBT is informed not only by orientation-specific variables (e.g. emphases on 1) attitude; 2) perpetuation of disturbance as opposed to its acquisition; 3) specificity; 4) the development of client self-help skills; and 5) homework), but by more general, trans-theoretical variables (e.g. rooting therapy in the bonds, views, goals and tasks domains of the working alliance and dealing effectively with threats to this alliance). In doing so, I hope to show that when practised well CBT draws upon general principles that span different therapeutic approaches as well as on ideas specific to CBT.

Investigation of the Phase Model of Psychotherapy Across Therapeutic Orientations: Are Different Approaches Actually All That Different?

“…The concept of choice within CT is another area in which there has been some theoretical progress. Dryden (2009) identified the client's perception of themselves as an informed consumer of psychotherapy who is an active and purposed participant in the process as an important aspect of CT. This assertion is somewhat reminiscent of the remoralization phase of the phase model of psychotherapy and thus is illustrative example of the application of theories and techniques of change across therapeutic modalities.…”