 My Therapy Style
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A Working Collaboration from a CBT approach
I'm kind of a direct guy who likes to come-up with solutions to problems. I know a lot about the field of Psychology, especially Industrial/Organizational Psychology. However, the client knows a lot about the details of his or her job, the personalities of the co-workers/bosses and most importantly, the client about what solutions would fit in the company culture. As a result, the client and I work as a collaborative team.
Actually that last statement says a lot! It implies that after carefully listening and thinking we try to take action in the real world - behaving or working differently. This reflects the "B" for behavioural in the CBT orientation.
On other occasions, change involves a different way of viewing the situation or the cognitive change. Let me give you an example.
A credit analyst in a major financial institution came to see me out of frustration. His sound and well-researched recommendations were routinely rebuffed by his eager money-lending colleagues. Sometimes, his appropriate cautions were countered by argument, but more likely, they were summarily dismissed. The analyst began to doubt his own competence and place in the organization.
We worked together to reconceptualize the interaction - seeing the credit meetings as a theatrical play with the staff around the table in assigned roles. His role - providing the truth - was required, but his role was limited to providing it, not having it followed.
Economic incentives to provide financing, pushed by perceived and real allegiances between the organization and its clients, were far stronger than the analyst. But, everyone at the credit meeting needed to hear the truth, sometimes consider it, but mostly, reject it. Construing events differently, and more accurately, helped this client regain his confidence and find the reactions to his reports more amusing than confidence-debasing.
At other times, clients can be helped at work not by viewing their situations differently but by developing new skills and competencies. Learning to react differently to a critical boss, acquiring skills to motivate a group, or learning to be better organized might all be targets that clients and I pursue.
Whatever the problem, together with the client, I employ both behavioural and cognitive interventions towards successful solutions.
