PSY 200 Discussion 4

e Define motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral restructuring, and solution-focused therapy applied to addiction. Motivational interviewing is a relationship- and client- centered system of change by which the counselor uses various techniques and interpersonal skills known to be effective agents of change (Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. 2019). In this process the counselor works with the client to change previous behaviors, feelings, and habits. The counselor works on the client’s issues by doing various activities afterwards they use this as a strategy to help the client create new goals and values in their life. The overall goal of this approach is to help people find the motivation to make positive behavioral changes. This approach is really effective with people who have a mixture of feelings about changing their behavior (Elizabeth Hartney 2023). Cognitive-behavioral restructuring isn’t a single technique but instead it is a group of techniques that helps people notice their negative thinking patterns and helps them change those patterns. When a person’s thought patterns start to become destructive and self-defeating a professional in the mental health field can help find ways to interrupt and redirect these thought patterns (Rebecca Joy 2023). Solution-focused therapy is a that is based on focuses on solution-building rather than problem-solving. Unlike other psychotherapies this strength-based approach focuses on a client’s current situation and their future hopes versus just focusing on present problems and past causes (Jenev Caddell 2021). e Based on what you have learned in this module, what are two techniques within each of the three counseling styles that you think might be relevant to Tom's situation? Be sure to discuss a total of six techniques, two for each of the three counseling styles.

Motivational Interviewing: The first technique that I think would be relevant to Tom'’s situation is asking open-ended questions. | think this would be beneficial because this will make Tom actually open up and not give simple answers such as “yes” or “no.” Open-ended questions makes a person think more deeply about their issue. The next technique that | think would relevant is reflective listening because this will allow Tom to know that his therapist is actually listening to him and trying to understand things from his perspective. It will also allow him to clear up any misunderstandings and to give more details about how he feels. Cognitive-behavioral restructuring: The first technique | would recommend for Tom is Socratic questioning because it will help him challenge irrational, illogical, or harmful thinking errors. The next technique that | believe would be relevant for Tom would be increasing his awareness of thoughts that way when he’s thinking about gambling, he can have some control over his thoughts and think about something else which causes him to also have control over his actions. Solution-focused therapy: The first technique that | believe would be for Tom would be exception questions because this will help Tom identify when things were different for him. It will allow him to find times when gambling wasn’t so much as a problem by doing this it will allow his therapist to empower him to find a solution. Another technique would be miracle questions this would be relevant because it will allow his therapists to make him think outside of the box. This will help Tom picture how life would be without gambling by setting up a scenario where a miracle happens, and his gambling problem is now gone. e Why do you think the approach(es) you chose would be helpful in Tom's situation (be specific and detailed)? | think that all these approaches would be beneficial in Tom'’s situation because for starters motivational interviewing will help