Introduction

The purpose of this account is to reflect on my performance in the treatment session recording that I have submitted. The recording is of an actual session in service with a real life patient. The patient’s main problem being treated is depression and the intervention that I used is behavioral activation (BA).
The model I will employ to help with the reflective aspects of this essay will be Driscoll’s model of reflection (1994). As with my reflective account for the competency assessment it is important I try and refer to the Low intensity (LI) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) literature as a rationale for my actions where appropriate and incorporate competing evidence for good practice. In terms of modifying future outcomes …show more content…
My rationale for beginning treatment sessions in this way is to ensure the patient is always clear about how many sessions we have had and how many are remaining. Therefore patients are prepared for treatment coming to an end and it also serves to emphasize the short-term nature of CBT therapy. Nice (2009) recommends that for mild to moderate depression a low intensity / step two intervention should consist of six to eight sessions of guided self-help. For behavioural activation specifically, there have been studies that show a significant decrease in depression over six to eight sessions (e.g., Daughters et al., 2008; MacPherson et al., 2010). However, Lejuez et al (2011) recommends that a ten-session protocol serves as a useful standard. In reality I must always adhere to my services guidelines regarding the number of treatment sessions we can offer patients but our teaching staff have advised us that practitioners should feel able to question and challenge where their service is not conforming to the guidance. In this instance I believe there is good evidence to show that my service is in keeping with the