Name and describe one evidence-based intervention approach commonly used in individual therapy within social work.

• A. Focuses on identifying and changing distorted thoughts and behaviors to reduce distress and improve functioning.
• B. Emphasizes discovery of unconscious conflicts through free association.
• C. Relies solely on medication management.
• D. Involves non-directive discussion with no homework.

Answer: (A)

The primary concept here is a structured, evidence-based therapy approach that helps clients change how they think and how they behave. This approach focuses on identifying distorted or unhelpful thoughts, examining the evidence for and against them, and learning skills to modify those thoughts and the resulting emotions and behaviors. It’s commonly used in individual social work practice because it’s practical, teachable, and has strong research support for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and functional problems.

In practice, you work with the client to pinpoint automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions, then test them through behavioral experiments and real-world homework. You also teach coping skills, such as problem-solving, behavioral activation to counter inactivity, and gradual exposure when avoidance is a problem. The aim is to empower clients to apply these strategies outside sessions, improving daily functioning and quality of life.

Other descriptions reflect different therapeutic traditions—discovering unconscious conflicts through free association aligns with psychodynamic approaches, medication management is a medical intervention, and non-directive, homework-free conversation resembles client-centered therapy. While these have their places, the described approach is the most consistently evidence-based, commonly used framework for individual therapy in social work.