Introduction

The goal of this assignment is to provide a brief description and critique of major social work theories and practise them in Pats case. Doing so as part of the assignment will demonstrate how Problem Solving Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Postmodern (Narrative) Therapy models can be applied practically concerning Pats gambling behaviour and the arising problems.

Theory Descriptions and Practice Implications

Problem Solving Theory

Description

Essential to Problem-Solving Theory is to find certain problems and develop a process of working towards effective solutions. In social work practice, it focuses on systematic methods that can be used to solve a particular client's problems. For instance, one might analyse problem-oriented ways, such as intervention in grief and financial difficulties, and point out concrete objectives so that Pat could stop gambling (Ghanem et al., 2018).

Practice Implications

In practicality, PST can assist Pat in outlining how the behaviour can be managed by working toward minute achievable objectives. Such might entail developing methods of self-exoneration from gambling and at the same time managing his grief. Through this logically formulated plan, the therapist can join in with Pat to address each aspect of his situation wittingly and systematically (Ho & Chan, 2022).

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Description

CBT is an empirically supported model that focuses on how people interpret events, feel about events and behave correspondingly. It aims at altering negative cognitions in order to bring about a change in behaviour. In this case, CBT can be applied to ensure that Pat changes the way he thinks about the gambling duties he had in respect of his ancestors (Kazantzis et al., 2018).

Practice Implications

Using the CBT on Pats case involves disputing irrational thoughts like Pat who sees gambling as a solution to grief. Through reevaluating such thoughts Pat can replace the negative thinking and actions such as gambling. This process might arrange behavioural objectives to track the gambling or use cognitive strategies to address the urges (Wright et al., 2019).

Postmodern Theory (Narrative Therapy)

Description

Narrative therapy depends on the stories a person has to tell about their lives and the way they tell these stories. This benefits clients and helps them approach their problems as something external that will indirectly make them rewrite their life narratives in a more positive way. Here, the idea of narrative therapy seemed useful to help Pat break the symptom from his sense of self and search for new, healthier narratives for dealing with grief (Fareez & Mohan, 2018).

Practice Implications

Through externalisation, narrative therapy can enable Pat to overcome the gambling problem by changing the way he looks at the problem as something he has to overcome without referring to it as something that has taken part of his identity. In this way, Pat will be able to develop new positive scripts in regard to the ways, in which he deals with grief and financial issues, abstaining from the destructive behaviours mentioned by Brown (2019).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Problem Solving Theory

Strengths

Problem-solving theory is very structured, goal directed and can therefore be easily applied to many different scenarios that social workers may encounter. What it does is promote the active participation of the client together with the social worker to come up with realistic objectives in relation to the identified problems and then to outline actionable steps towards problem-solving (Ghanem et al., 2018).

Limitations

The shortcoming of this theory is that it gives little consideration to the affective component of an issue, it may just be targeting the management of challenges. It can also be less useful for clients who have complex emotional disorders (Ho & Chan, 2022).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Strengths

CBT being an empirically supported treatment works for modifying faulty negative cognitive and behavioural processes. It comprises usability and practicability as it deals with functional changes that can be measured and thus can be applied widely to different concerns like anxiety and depression (Butler et al., 2020).

Limitations

CBT practitioners can become overly preoccupied with the patients changed behaviour and may sometimes fail to consider the social and contextual factors that may in some way affect the given subject. However, it is formal and may not be most effective for clients who require more eclectic or experiential solutions (Rasmussen, 2018).

Postmodern Theory (Narrative Therapy)

Strengths

Originally having its roots in postmodernism, Narrative Therapy also focuses on the self-direction of the clients and that they are the authority regarding their own lives. It is particularly effective in enhancing power by putting problems in containers outside the persons self (Rice, 2019).

Limitations

As mentioned before, Narrative Therapy is not as rigidly organised as other forms of therapy that may be needed for more severe psychological disorders that may involve substance dependency. Because of its flexible structure, it may provide insufficient direction in various intricate treatment settings (Gao & Chen, 2021).

Personal Views/Opinions

Problem Solving Theory

This theory can be implemented well according to my values of having a structure when approaching a problem and the importance of teamwork. In particular, I found the use of goals and a step-by-step work plan highly applicable to my preferred type of work that is focused on goals and for which clear steps are required for implementation. Nevertheless, I have a few concerns about it, and the most salient one is the pragmatic orientation of the method that at times may disregard subtle emotions clients such as Pat experience. For example, although this theory can help in focusing on the change of behaviour of Pat in regard to gambling this theory will not help in dealing with the grief which is at the root of his actions (Asimopoulos et al., 2018).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT also appears to be very useful when it comes to helping clients such as Pat modify their thinking and acting processes. It systems systems-based and scientific and aligns with my personal ethos when it comes to addressing such behavioural problems as substance dependence. The option of treating a patient within the framework of GBP that targets maladaptive thoughts and emotions is especially persuasive. However, I am aware that CBT individualises the client and does not consider other factors that might affect the clients behaviour in society, which has a drawback (Rasmussen, 2018).

Postmodern Theory (Narrative Therapy)

What I like about Narrative Therapy is its compliance with the principles that I hold autonomy, and plurality of voices. This theory kind of asks for the clients/individuals story to be heard, and this then enables Pat and any clients with such a view to transform their personal narrative into one in which problems are external and thus easier to manage. Thus, clients are not absorbed and overwhelmed by problems which are, I believe, some of the most powerful principles of socially just practice. Nevertheless, at this time, basically, I do have some concerns about the absence of order in the concept of Narrative Therapy. While it allows the user to feel empowered to make her own decisions, it doesnt always provide the type of advice or practical steps for dealing with such problems as alcoholism. However, its focus on client autonomy and relabeling is a useful and empowering approach to many therapeutic contexts (Brown, 2019).

Case Analysis

Theory Selection

CBT is appropriate for use in evaluating Pats case because the theory assesses cognitive distortions that may lead to gambling behaviour. It is also important because Pat links gambling with paying respect to his dead father and cousin and CBT provides efficient strategies to reframe such negative patterns of thinking. CBT is a highly organized technique, especially cognitive restructuring that will enable Pat to focus on the thought processes connected with grief and change the negative perceptions of gambling as a coping mechanism (Mide et al., 2023). CBT can help Pat to envision his grief from gambling and in its place find healing activities to remember his loved ones.

Analysis of This Situation

In Pats case, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will start by addressing and disputing some of the negative automatic thoughts he harbours namely; the belief that gambling helps him pay homage to deceased relatives. These thoughts help stimulate his continued unsuitable patterns of gambling to help him deal with his grieving. CBT is called cognitive restructuring and will assist Pat in identifying it as a distortion and proceed to replace that thought with a more constructive one (Pfund & Ginley, 2019). For example instead of reasoning gambling as honoring his loved one he could be directed to other related friendly activities worthy of his love ones such as donating for a related noble course or writing letters to the deceased.

Also, there were possible behavioral plans regarding the recognition of the stimuli that make Pat tend to gambling and the usage of far healthier optimum method of dealing with these stimuli than gambling, for instance, performing yoga. This systematic approach of using both cognitive and behavior therapies gives Pat usable methods to overcome the loss without turning to gambling (Granero et al., 2020).

CBT will also be used to enable Pat develop an understanding of thoughts and feelings that lead to gambling over time as well as teaching him better ways to deal with loss. In the end there would be a change of behavior through prompt restructuring and constant self training for example for Pat, gambling is destructive hence has to be done away with through consistent substitution for other helpful means.

Expected Outcomes

From the recommendation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the positive changes expected of Pat are the reduction of gambling behaviour together with a change of appropriate coping on the loss of his sister. As Pat learns to confront and replace unreasonable thoughts concerning gambling, he should have lesser distress levels that come with triggers. The following coping alternatives, mindfulness and meaningful activities will provide a healthier perception for Pat with which he can avert grief (Pfund & Ginley, 2019). These modifications over time are expected to enhance the subjects working memory capacity for emotion regulation and diminish gambling temptations.

Financial responsibility and mental health are two examples of long-term goals which will be reached as Pat minimizes his gambling financial effects and establishes a healthy manner of dealing with his grief. CBT is more structured than other approaches and makes a person see measurable improvements in therapy that can help in further sessions.

Evaluating the Practice

In order to assess the effectiveness of the particular intervention with Pat, some or measurable outcomes may be used. One of the significant goals would be a decrease in the number of gambling episodes for which some form of self-reported data or BEs should be used. As for the gains in the specifically emotional area of loss and grief, these are possible to capture by using the respective validated scales that, by design, would show changes occurring in Pats psychological states over time (Pfund & Ginley, 2019).

Also, money management is among the significant ways to measure success; thus, the frequency of gambling should reduce Pats financial management. Some of these factors can be assessed using financial status review and checking budget enhancements, at some time (Granero et al., 2020).

Another method of assessing the outcome of the intervention is whether or not Pat was able to handle the gambling cues. CBT is characterized by defining relapse prevention procedures and, therefore, Pats vulnerability or immunity to gambling stimuli can be evaluated concerning relapse. In general, within the measurable domain, these endpoints will produce a complete assessment of the effectiveness of the intervention for the change in both Pats gambling behaviours and mental health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be stated that the proper choice of the theoretical approach is a condition for changing the problematic behaviour pattern and identifying the hidden grief in Pat. CBT may be applied to Pats case in a very effective manner because it aims at the re-education of the client strictly following the researched evidence on possible ways and methods of treatment. CBT is much more helpful to Pat in this case by concentrating on changing the cognitive schema that connects the two meanings of gambling and honour to his ancestors since it will in turn help him replace these unhealthy ways of thinking with healthier ones, consequently giving him better ways of behaving.

The changes in thinking patterns and behaviour strategies eliminate options of gambling and instead, Pat can learn to do meaningful activities to help him sort out his grief. Also, due to being goal-oriented CBT allows Pat to achieve concrete goals, such as decreasing the rate of gambling and working on the problems with money. These outcomes are therefore measurable and present clear progression markers throughout the intervention procedures as noted by Granero et al. (2020).

In general, the organization of the CBT approach, as well as its emphasis on quantitative goals, place the therapy in a strong position to treat not only Pats gambling issue but also the other emotional problems he experiences on his way to recovery and long-term behavioural modification.

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