COUNSELING OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Counseling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder



Counseling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Introduction

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder usually involves having both obsessions and compulsions, though a person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may sometimes have only one or the other. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can start from preschool to adulthood, but usually by the age of forty. One-third to one-half of adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder report that it started during childhood, but Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often goes unrecognized. On an average, most people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seek treatment for nine years before they actually receive a correct diagnosis.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often tends to be under diagnosed or untreated for a number of reasons(Rachman & Rachman, 2003, pp.34-42). People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may have a lack of knowledge about their treatment or they maybe secretive about it. Also, many health care providers are not familiar with the symptoms or they are not trained in providing appropriate treatment. This is unfortunate because proper treatment can help people avoid depression or marital and work problems.

Role of Counseling

Depending on the severity of symptoms, a doctor may prescribe only counseling. The counselors usually chose cognitive-behavioral therapy. Consistent findings from studies testing the effectiveness of different therapies strongly suggest that the working alliance (the bond between counselor and client), is paramount in predicting therapeutic success. The following interpersonal aspects of treatment play a significant role in fostering an atmosphere of collaboration: 1) level of comfort; 2) confidence in the counselor; and 3) a commitment to the treatment process by the client and counselor. The therapeutic relationship is a partnership in the fullest sense of the word. To be successful both parties need to bring their fullest devotion to the explicit and implicit contract of therapy, such that, at the end of each session, both parties come to an agreement as to the upcoming week's challenges and goals.

All too often clients say, "You made me touch the door knob," (Foa et al, 2005, pp.151-61) as they review their previous weeks assignment. A cognitive counselor may immediately respond by saying, "The way I remember it, we had an agreement that you would do it." It is essential that the client accept the responsibility to participate willingly in his or her own therapy. Through a joint effort, clients can choose to share the challenges of this difficult therapy with an experienced partner.

Cognitive principles focus on fostering a sense of therapeutic independence on the part of the client. Cognitive counselors teach strategies and perspectives for responding to the challenges that life has to offer so that individuals can gain a greater sense of self-efficacy (i.e. developing faith in their abilities to achieve specified goals). Equally as important as knowledge, training, experience, and credentials on the part of the cognitive counselor are warmth, understanding, and compassion. (Penzel, 2000, pp.112)

Typically, a cognitive-behavioral psychocounselor believes that self-disclosure is a healthy part of any relationship, including a therapeutic one. Therefore, answering questions about oneself is considered a natural and healthy part of the therapeutic ...