Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - pros and cons

Thank you everyone for the messages (and PMs). It all seems encouraging so far.

caleb - I'll look at that book when I get a chance - thank you.
ysidro - that might be my unique selling point!! :D Thanks for the idea. :)

Rat - maybe we can talk more in the future. Thanks for sharing. I had not realised CBT was used in group sessions, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be. If that wasn't working for you, I'm surprised you weren't offered individual sessions.

everyone - thank you for the encouragement and support.
 
Well, I am now enrolled. Thanks for all the advice and feedback.

Will keep you updated as to how it goes. Another nightmare week at work last week really helped that decision along too.
 
Daft question of the day in one of my supplementary books for the course:
"What are your emotional blind spots?"
 
I don't know yet, Prof - I'll wait and see what opportunities are available. I'd like to think I'd continue to work for and support the NHS, but if that means taking half the wage, or being in a position that would potentially be cut at a moment's notice from a government whim, I may need to be mercenary.

At least I'll have options. :)

(ETA: and thanks for the title edit)
 
I know what blind spots are (and that I have fewer than everyone else:)), but what's an emotional blind spot?
 
My sister is a clinical psychologist and she's just started doing some private work because of the better pay and being able to choose her own hours etc. I suppose its a win-win situation really; if the NHS keep trying to increase their capacity for mental health treatment there will be plenty of NHS jobs, but if the area suffers from the cutbacks, its the sort of thing people will do privately when the NHS waiting lists are too long.

Its the sort of work I considered doing, many moons ago when I still thought I cope with a proper career.

The CBT sessions I recently had were with a trainee, so I'll have a think for tips of what not to do...
 
You see, if it was me taking the course, and the question was one for which my answer was going to be assessed, I'd be sorely tempted to say that my blind spots are that I am incapable of experiencing pity, shame, love, sympathy, or compassion. Just to see their reaction, you understand.
 
Ivor the Engineer said:
I know what blind spots are (and that I have fewer than everyone else:)), but what's an emotional blind spot?
Click to expand...
They are the sort of things which may affect our ability to be a 'counselling style helper'. They are the opinions and attitudes that may affect our ability to empathise with, understand or wish to help our clients. Things such as our internal reactions to people of different races, political viewpoints or with different beliefs about religion, death, abortion, sexual preferences, etc.

Now, we may indeed be aware of our positions and reactions to these, and how they might affect how we deal with other people. That's fine, although we should regularly revisit these since our opinions, outlooks, etc change as we have new experiences in life.

However, this question was asking about the responses and reactions we might have to such things, that we are not aware of, or that we may not realise impact our ability to be effective counsellors. :boggled:
 
Professor Yaffle said:
My sister is a clinical psychologist and she's just started doing some private work because of the better pay and being able to choose her own hours etc. I suppose its a win-win situation really; if the NHS keep trying to increase their capacity for mental health treatment there will be plenty of NHS jobs, but if the area suffers from the cutbacks, its the sort of thing people will do privately when the NHS waiting lists are too long.

Its the sort of work I considered doing, many moons ago when I still thought I cope with a proper career.

The CBT sessions I recently had were with a trainee, so I'll have a think for tips of what not to do...
Click to expand...
Thank you!

Rat said:
You see, if it was me taking the course, and the question was one for which my answer was going to be assessed, I'd be sorely tempted to say that my blind spots are that I am incapable of experiencing pity, shame, love, sympathy, or compassion. Just to see their reaction, you understand.
Click to expand...
hhmmm.... I didn't consider that - although I wouldn't consider those blind spots, since you are aware of them. (ETA: I may actually be misinterpreting their requirement for the question, and this could be a perfectly valid response)

Luckily this is not an assessment question on my course, but is a question posed within a chapter of a book on my reading list.
 
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