Cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy

Ellen is making progress, so she and Deanna add on new assignments, in which Ellen will also verbalize and challenge her feelings with appropriate thoughts. When Deanna is invited to present a paper about her treatment of Ellen for an upcoming conference, the form she is filling out asked her to characterize her topic as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy, or “other.”

She will explain to a trusted friend what she is trying to do and then make a plan in which she and the friend choose a light, comfortable friendly touch, such as nudging each other while teasing, and progress to squeezing each other’s hand at some point in the conversation, and hugging hello and good-bye.

During this time, Ellen now also keeps a journal about how she feels before and after each brief encounter. She also talks first with Deanna and later with her supportive friend about how this feels as she engages in light, friendly touching over time.

What is the first option Deanna described—the one that Ellen rejected?

(Naturally, there is a blank beside “other” to indicate the appropriate category.) How would you categorize her treatment sessions with Ellen? What should Deanna put on the form for the conference? Why?

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