Appraisal of Mental Disorders

Appraisal of Mental Disorders Paper Student’s Name Affiliation Course Number: Course Name Instructor’s Name Due Date Appraisal of Mental Disorders Paper Significant evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating co-occurring depression and anxiety for individuals with traumatic experiences. One of the pioneers of CBT noted a connection between maladaptive cognitions and adverse emotions as well as dysfunctional behavioral tendencies. Cognitive theory holds that a situation does not produce a behavioral or emotional response. An individual’s perception of the situation is the one that is connected to their underlying core belief system. This paper is a scholarly endeavor tailored to assess a case scenario focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy of a refugee mother who is struggling with depression and anxiety. It incorporates an appraisal of sociocultural factors and how the therapist addressed them in the case study, including any contributory factors for the positive outcomes of the case study. Appraisal of Sociocultural Factors in the Case Study Several sociocultural factors contribute to the refugee client’s depression and anxiety in Faber and Lee's (2020) case study. The issue of gender-based violence and patriarchal societies in her native country played a major role in her psychological struggles. Intimate partner violence is widespread in St. Vincent, and the legal institutional support and protection of women is limited. Another major sociocultural contributor to depression and anxiety in the client is cultural stigma and silence surrounding the issue of mental health. The client did not have mental health discussions and reinforcement within her family structure and cultural orientation. Moreover, refugee status and migration-related stressors severely affected the client’s psychological well-being. The client resides in a foreign country, far from family and close friends, which can lead to identity confusion. The client was unsure of the best approaches to requesting help because she was a refugee. The factors are deeply rooted in systemic and structural dynamics, thereby worsening her mental health challenges and perpetuating her sense of helplessness. How the Therapist Addressed the Sociocultural Challenges in the Case Study The therapist handling this client acknowledged the sociocultural factors in her life and strategically incorporated them into the therapeutic process. First, the therapist respected the client’s cultural norms and treatment preferences. The therapist honored the client’s request to avoid trauma-focused discussions despite the clear presence of trauma symptoms. The client’s trauma resulted from intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. The therapist chose a non-trauma-focused CBT because individuals from collectivist backgrounds may view discussing personal trauma as culturally inappropriate or unsafe. Second, the therapist built a strong therapeutic alliance and emotional safety. In the article by Faber and Lee (2020), a long history of interpersonal violence, mistrust, and betrayal is included. This indicates that the therapist listened without judgment, validated the client’s experiences, and allowed the client to set the agenda for therapy. Given that the client originated from a region where power dynamics often marginalize women, empowering the client to regain a sense of control during the therapy was crucial. Moreover, the therapist adapted standard CBT interventions to a...