A CBT-based therapeutic alternative to working with complex client problems

Abstract

This paper offers a therapeutic alternative to working with complex client problems, based on a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, which is informed by a combination of schema-focussed cognitive behavioural therapy (McGinn and Young 1996; Young 1994; Padesky 1994; Pretzer and Fleming 1989), specialized cognitive behaviourally-focussed trauma therapy (Herbert 1996, 2001, 2002a, 2002b; Herbert and Wetmore 1999, 2001), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques (EMDR – Shapiro 1995) and mindfulness techniques (Bennett-Goleman 2001; Teasdale et al. 1995; Kabat-Zinn 1994; Linehan 1993). This paper attempts to illustrate how such an approach might be applied to working with complex client problems, such as Tracey's, by addressing some of the therapeutic issues that have been highlighted in the original case study of Tracey by her therapist and introducing an alternative understanding of these.