CBT APPROACH IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING FOR SPECIFIC PHOBIA CAUSED BY VERBAL ABUSE

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in individual counseling to overcome specific phobias caused by verbal abuse. The focus of the study is on changes in negative thinking patterns and anxiety reactions experienced by clients after experiencing traumatic verbal abuse. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study technique on a client with the initials “N.” Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation during the counseling process, and analysis of documents related to the client's psychological history and development. Data analysis was conducted thematically with stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the study indicate that CBT is effective in helping clients recognize and change irrational thought patterns that are the main triggers of specific phobia. Cognitive restructuring techniques were found to help clients re-evaluate negative beliefs about previously feared situations, while systematic desensitization enabled clients to confront their fears in a safe and controlled environment gradually. Significant reductions in anxiety symptoms were observed in each session, which also positively impacted the client's quality of life. The success of this intervention is supported by active client participation, social support from the immediate environment, and consistency in applying CBT techniques outside of counseling sessions. The conclusion of this study confirms that CBT is an effective intervention for treating trauma-based specific phobia resulting from verbal abuse and can be applied more widely in individual counseling practice.