The Three Principles and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Comparative Approach to Enhancing Resilience in Military Personnel

Professional Resource Article

Introduction

Military personnel face distinct challenges and stressors, such as combat exposure, prolonged separation from family, and frequent relocations, which can significantly impact their mental health (Hoge et al , 2004) Traditionally, mental health counseling focuses on symptoms, traumatic experiences, or dysfunctional thought patterns (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, alternative transformative psychological models, such as Sydney Banks' "Three Principles" and Aaron Beck's Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), provide innovative approaches for counseling military personnel.

Understanding Sydney Banks' Three Principles

The Three Principles - Mind, Consciousness, and Thoughtsymbolize the essence of the human experience (Banks, 1998). Mind represents the universal energy and intelligence of life, Consciousness allows awareness of existence, and Thought is the creative agent shaping our subjective reality. These principles offer an empowering perspective on resilience and well-being, asserting that our psychological experiences are created from within (Banks, 2001).

Integrating the Three Principles into mental health counseling can have profound benefits. Military personnel, through understanding these principles, can comprehend that distressing thoughts and feelings are transient and not a fixed aspect of their identity. This recognition fosters resilience, a critical asset in the face of unique stressors military personnel often encounter (Kelley, Pransky, & Lambert, 2014).

Moreover, the Three Principles emphasize an individual's inherent resilience and mental health, which may be obscured by traumatic experiences or intense stress. This understanding promotes psychological recovery. Counselors can leverage the Three Principles to focus on the individual's inner capacity for change and resilience rather than solely on trauma or stressful events Such an approach can lead to a more empowering, non pathologizing therapeutic relationship, beneficial for military personnel who may be wary of the stigma associated with mental health services (Greene-Shortridge, Brit, & Castro, 2007).

Comparing the Three Principles and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Aaron Beck's Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shares similarities with Banks' Three Principles, but they diverge in significant ways. Both models emphasize the role of thought in shaping an individual's reality. CBT postulates that dysfunctional thinking patterns lead to maladaptive behaviors and emotions, and it aims to challenge and change these thought patterns (Beck, 2011).

Like the Three Principles, CBT encourages individuals to understand their capacity to change their thought processes.

However, CBT typically involves a more structured, problemfocused approach, often targeting specific symptoms or issues. In contrast, the Three Principles offer a broader, more philosophical perspective, emphasizing an individual's innate mental health and capacity for resilient thought, regardless of circumstances (Banks, 2001).

While both approaches can be beneficial, their suitability may depend on the individual's needs and preferences For some military personnel, CBT's structured, problem-focused approach may provide practical tools to manage specific symptoms or challenges For others, the more philosophical, resilience-oriented approach of the Three Principles may resonate more deeply, providing a paradigm shift in understanding their mental health.

The Three Principles and PTSD Treatment

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health challenge among military personnel (Hoge et al., 2004). The Three Principles can be particularly beneficial in PTSD treatment. By understanding the transient nature of distressing thoughts and the innate capacity for resilient thought, military personnel with PTSD can reconnect with their underlying wellbeing and foster recovery (Kelley, Pransky, & Lambert, 2014).

Interestingly, the Three Principles share common ground with some emerging PTSD treatments, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Both approaches encourage individuals to observe their distressing thoughts and experiences without judgment or resistance, fostering a shift in their relationship with these experiences (Shapiro, 2001).

Trauma-Informed Care and the Three Principles

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an organizational framework involving understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma (SAMHSA, 2014) TIC's principles, such as ensuring physical and emotional safety, promoting peer support, and emphasizing collaboration and mutuality, can create a therapeutic environment where veterans feel safe and supported in exploring the Three Principles (Harris & Fallot, 2001).

When counselors understand and respect veterans' past experiences and potential trauma-related triggers, they can present the Three Principles in a manner sensitive to veterans' individual experiences Thus, TIC can significantly enhance the way veterans engage with Sydney Banks' Three Principles, fostering their innate capacity for resilience and well-being.

Limitations of the Three Principles Approach

While the Three Principles offer a unique perspective on mental health and resilience, they are not without limitations Notably, this approach may not resonate with everyone. Some individuals may find the principles abstract or difficult to understand, and it may not provide immediate relief for acute symptoms or severe distress (Kelley, Pransky, & Lambert, 2014).

Moreover, the Three Principles, while powerful, may not be sufficient on their own for treating trauma, particularly complex or severe trauma Such cases may require more comprehensive and specialized approaches, such as TraumaFocused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Prolonged Exposure Therapy, which have strong empirical support for their effectiveness (Foa, Hembree, & Rothbaum, 2007).

While the Three Principles can help individuals understand their capacity for resilience and the transient nature of distressing thoughts, they do not provide specific strategies or techniques for managing acute distress or symptoms. As a result, some individuals, particularly those struggling with severe or acute symptoms, may need additional support or interventions.

Incorporating the Three Principles into a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan, which may include other therapeutic approaches or interventions, can provide a more holistic approach to supporting the mental health and resilience of military personnel.

Summary

Integrating Sydney Banks' Three Principles into mental health counseling, complemented by a trauma informed approach, offers a transformative strategy for enhancing the resilience of military personnel. Meanwhile, the structured, problemfocused approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers practical tools to manage specific symptoms or challenges By recognizing the innate capacity for resilience and the transient nature of distressing thoughts, military personnel can harness their inherent resilience, promoting more effective recovery and overall mental well-being. However, it is essential to consider individual needs, preferences, and the complexity of trauma when choosing an approach.

Note: FMHCA’s Military Services Committee is planning a virtual symposium this Fall Check FMHCA’s weekly updates for information on submitting a proposal

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Banks, S. (1998). The Missing Link: Reflections on Philosophy and Spirit. Lone Pine Publishing.

Banks, S. (2001). The Enlightened Gardener. Mindpress Media.

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2007). Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences Therapist Guide. Oxford University Press.

Greene-Shortridge, T. M., Brit, T. W., & Castro, C. A. (2007). The stigma of mental health problems in the military. Military Medicine, 172(2), 157-161.

Harris, M., & Fallot, R. D. (Eds.). (2001). Using trauma theory to design service systems: New directions for mental health services. Jossey-Bass.

Hoge, C. W., Castro, C. A., Messer, S. C., McGurk, D., Coting, D. I., & Koffman, R. L. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1), 13-22.

Kelley, T. M., Pransky, J., & Lambert, E. (2014). Realizing improved mental health through understanding three spiritual principles. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 1(4), 298.

Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Written By: Maria Giuliana, LMHC, FMHCA Northeast Regional Director

Maria (She/Her) is FMHCA's Regional Director Northeast and the Military Services Committee Chair. She has over 20 years of experience practicing in both military and community settings. She provides virtual counseling, consulting, and clinical supervision through her private practice, Beyond The Matter Counseling and ConsultingServices LLC, throughout Florida and Iowa. She is a doctoral candidate at National Louis University, completing her dissertation on Exploring the Relationship between Counselor Expertise and Self-Reported Military Cultural Competency among Mental Health Counselors.