For clients struggling with anxiety and depression associated with speech fluency issues, what's the focus of cognitive therapy?

For clients struggling with anxiety and depression associated with speech fluency issues, what's the focus of cognitive therapy?

• A. Reinforcing fluent speech periods
• B. Changing misconceptions about speech fluency
• C. Extinguishing disfluency through practice
• D. Using visualization techniques during speech

Answer: (B)

Cognitive therapy primarily focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns and misconceptions that contribute to emotional distress and behavioral issues. In the context of clients dealing with anxiety and depression related to speech fluency, it is essential to address their beliefs and attitudes toward speaking and disfluency. Many individuals may hold irrational beliefs or fears surrounding their speech abilities, like believing that stuttering signifies weakness or inadequacy. By changing these misconceptions, cognitive therapy can help clients develop a healthier mindset about their speech issues, reduce anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being, ultimately contributing to better fluency and communication skills. Although reinforcing fluent speech periods, practicing to extinguish disfluency, and using visualization techniques can play a role in speech therapy, they do not specifically address the underlying cognitive and emotional factors that contribute to anxiety and depression. Thus, the focus of cognitive therapy on changing misconceptions is particularly relevant for those struggling with the psychological aspects of speech fluency challenges.

Cognitive therapy primarily focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns and misconceptions that contribute to emotional distress and behavioral issues. In the context of clients dealing with anxiety and depression related to speech fluency, it is essential to address their beliefs and attitudes toward speaking and disfluency.

Many individuals may hold irrational beliefs or fears surrounding their speech abilities, like believing that stuttering signifies weakness or inadequacy. By changing these misconceptions, cognitive therapy can help clients develop a healthier mindset about their speech issues, reduce anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being, ultimately contributing to better fluency and communication skills.

Although reinforcing fluent speech periods, practicing to extinguish disfluency, and using visualization techniques can play a role in speech therapy, they do not specifically address the underlying cognitive and emotional factors that contribute to anxiety and depression. Thus, the focus of cognitive therapy on changing misconceptions is particularly relevant for those struggling with the psychological aspects of speech fluency challenges.