Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Philosophy:

• Premise that cognitive processes maintain psychological distress.

• A focus on changing cognitions to produce desired changes in affect and behavior.

Therapeutic Goals:

• Involves modifying dysfunctional thinking, changing maladaptive behavior, improving emotional regulation, and developing coping skills. 

Key Concepts:

• It’s not the events that cause emotional distress, but the way we interpret & think about them.

• Unhelpful/maladaptive behaviors can reinforce negative thinking & emotions; by changing these, clients can alter their emotional responses and thought patterns.

• Cognitive Distortions: Irrational, exaggerated, or biased thought patterns that reinforce negative emotions and behavior

Therapy Process (How it Works):

• Assessment is important in the initial sessions to identify specific thoughts, behaviors, and emotional patterns to address as well as to establish goals

•  Goals are specific, measurable, achievable & guide therapeutic process

• Homework is an essential part

• Structure:

  • Review of hw/topics at beginning 

  • Intro new skill/concept 

  • Discuss current thoughts/feelings/behaviors related to problems 

  • Practice techniques 

  • Assign homework

Interventions/Techniques

• Restructuring/Reframing - Identifying and challenging distorted irrational thoughts and replacing them with more balanced and rational ones. ⚬ Ex: “I’m a failure” into “I made a mistake, but I can learn from it.” 

• Behavioral Activation - Encourages clients to engage in activities that they have been avoiding or that bring them pleasure, which can help improve mood. 

• Exposure Therapy - Gradually exposing clients to feared situations or stimuli in a controlled manner to help reduce fear & avoidance behavior. 

• Thought Records - Clients record situations that triggered emotional distress, thoughts they had, & how they reacted. Helps identify automatic thoughts & cognitive distortions. 

• Problem-Solving - Structured approaches to problem-solving; may involve breaking down problems into manageable steps, generating alternative solutions, and evaluating their potential outcomes.

•  Relaxation Techniques 

Nature of Therapeutic Relationship:

•  Involves being a collaborator and action-oriented guide; shows therapeutic characteristics such as structured, educational, and goal-oriented. 

One Strength and Limitation:

• Strengths: Evidence Based, Measurable & quantifiable, Structured & goal-oriented, Short-term & cost-effective, Skills-oriented, Effective across variety of issues, Collaborative 

• Limitations: May oversimplify complex issues, requires active participation, Doesn’t always address root causes (early life experiences, unconscious processes), Not ideal for all problems (e.g., personality disorders), Focuses on rationality, may overlook emotional depth, Cultural sensitivity challenges, Less focus on therapeutic alliance, Manualized therapy may feel rigid.