Case Conceptualization

RUNNING HEAD : CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION

Case Conceptualization (Michael

Irene Lugo

November 3 , 2006

Submitted to

Professor 's Name

George Washington University

Name of Class Cognitive Therapies

These theories developed independently by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck are centered on the idea that people 's beliefs and about occurrences people , and situations can be made to have a profound effect on their feelings and actions (Professor 's last name , 2006 . Individuals might become obsessed with situations and worry themselves unnecessarily about a given scenario because of maladaptive or errant

belief systems . These belief systems have often been founded on experiences of the past , and may include systems and structures of a particular society or assumptions that have been (tacitly or openly ) acknowledged within a family setting . Conventions such as these often have the effect of limiting or somehow regulating the actions and /or desires of individual - often in an irrational way . The dominant term used by Beck to describe the resulting belief system or mindset is maladaptive cognition while Ellis uses the term irrational belief (2006

Each of these cognitive theorists has developed a therapeutic model that seeks to remove or alleviate the burdens of these beliefs . Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT , developed by Ellis , includes the ABC Model of Human Functioning /emotional disturbance . This model sees the problem as having an activating event ' beliefs ' via which the events are processed , and finally a consequence ' - which proves to be unfavourable if beliefs are maladaptive . The intervention is centered on the identification and confrontation of the individual 's belief systems by the therapist . Beck 's reference to these beliefs is similar , though the interpretation of them is that they are often too absolute . Efforts made are therefore to slacken or lessen their effects . Intervention includes depression and anxiety inventories and confrontation treatments (Professor 's last name , 2006

Conceptualization of Michael 's Problem

Having grown up in a nuclear family setting in the Midwest , a region usually considered conservative , Michael has been surrounded by influences that have affected his beliefs . As a homosexual , he is aware that such a lifestyle is not generally accepted within the communities to which he has been exposed . Because Michael is profoundly affected by the atmosphere of his surroundings and is able to sense the desires and moods of people , it is quite likely that that these conditions have contributed to his discomfort within his surroundings . Beck 's ideas of maladaptive cognitions might be brought to bear on Michael 's case because it appears that his ability to sense people 's unspoken needs has often translated into a desire to fulfill them in to create a favorable atmosphere . In addition to this , Michael has had the opportunity to live both the alternatives that his life has presented him : he has been married as well as openly homosexual . In each lifestyle he has found himself unhappy . Considering the profound effect that atmosphere has on Michael , it is likely that his sexual desires have in both cases come...