Cognitive-behavioural Therapies: Research and Applications in Counselling People with Physical Disabilities

The main principles and practices of cognitive-behavioural therapies are briefly outlined and discussed in terms of their relevance to counselling individuals with physical disabilities. The cognitive-behavioural therapies of Beck, Ellis, and Nezu to counselling persons with physical disabilities are specifically presented. A case study involving the application of cognitive-behavioural therapies to counselling a person with severe facial and hand burn injuries is also presented. The view is advanced that although cognitive-behavioural therapies have considerable potential in counselling of persons with physical disabilities, lack of conceptual clarity of some central constructs in cognitive-behavioral therapy is a limitation to practice in rehabilitation settings. The paucity of controlled research studies in this area of study is noted, and suggestions are offered for further research.