In this discussion we examine the principles and techniques of both behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy.

Use the following scenario to develop your responses to the next two questions: Assume that you work in a day care center and take care of four 6-year-olds. One of the boys, Ethan, frequently disrupts the classroom. He disobeys your orders, bullies and pushes the other children in your care, and throws tantrums when he does not get what he wants.

1. Using operant conditioning principles, how might you structure a behavioral approach to working with Ethan in a way that directly addresses his problematic behaviors?  What techniques would you use? Be specific and explain your rationale thoroughly.

2. As a result of your intervention, as mentioned in question 1, what specific behavioral changes might you expect in Ethan as a result of employing these techniques? Again, be specific and detailed in your response.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

3.  Using the rational-emotive behavior approach to therapy, apply the A-B-C method mentioned in the course lecture notes to either a real life situation that you have experienced or create a scenario to illustrate how the realization of beliefs influence the consequences of behavior. Be sure to clearly label each component (A)ctivating event, (B)elief, and (C)onsequence in your example to show how they relate and the progression of the behaviors.  Then take the ABC model full circle and include the (D)isputing and the (E)ffect of the  disputing process. Clearly explain in detail how each step in the ABCDE process is playing out in your scenario.

We have another interesting case study this week!

As many of you know (from previous discussions), I consider myself to be a cognitive-behaviorist. Like many of my friends and colleagues, I find that this theory makes the most sense to me, and it is most relevant to my clients’ presenting concerns.

As you formulate your response in this discussion, please also give some thought to why these approaches might be so popular among counselors.  Also, in your opinion, what are some of the limitations of these models of counseling, as they apply to this case study?

I can’t wait to read your ideas!