Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Brief CBT) – Key Concepts (Modules 1–6)

Vocabulary-style flashcards capturing key terms and their definitions from the provided lecture notes on Brief CBT, supervision, therapeutic skills, case conceptualization, cultural considerations, and telemental health.

Brief CBT

Compression of CBT material into four to eight sessions focusing on specific problems and requiring patient homework.

Second-generation CBT

Beckian cognitive therapy emphasizing cognitive restructuring and relaxation techniques to influence behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Model

A framework in which thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, shaping distress and change.

Cognitive restructuring

Techniques used to identify and modify unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns.

Relaxation techniques

Methods (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) to reduce physiological arousal.

Active treatment

In-session skill-building and homework that address presenting problems, not just discussion.

Empathy

Understanding and validating a patient’s experiences from their point of view.

Genuineness

Authenticity of the therapist; congruence between words, actions, and feelings.

Positive Regard

Respect and nonjudgmental acceptance of the patient, signaling value and care.

Active listening

A trio of skills (receiving, processing, responding) to understand and engage with the patient.

Clarification

Asking questions to ensure accurate understanding of the patient’s message.

Paraphrasing

Restating the patient’s statements in the clinician’s own words to confirm meaning.

Reflection

Echoing or restating the patient’s emotions to deepen understanding.

Summarization

Condensing themes from a session to reflect progress and guide next steps.

Holding environment

Safe, empathetic space where the patient feels heard and secure to share concerns.

ABC Model

Antecedents, Behaviors, Consequences; a functional assessment of how events relate to actions.

Antecedent

Events or conditions that occur before a behavior and may trigger it.

Behavior

An action, feeling, or thought that follows an antecedent.

Consequence

Outcomes following a behavior; can be positive or negative and influence future behavior.

Problem List

Open-ended inventory of patient difficulties described with frequency, intensity, and impact.

Self-report inventories

Standardized questionnaires completed by patients to assess symptoms and functioning.

PHQ-9

Patient Health Questionnaire-9; a self-report measure of depressive symptoms.

GAD-7

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale; a self-report anxiety screening tool.

Beck Depression Inventory

A widely used self-report measure assessing depressive symptom severity.

Self-report symptom inventories

Validated tools used to establish baseline functioning and track change.

Measurement-Based Care (MBC)

Ongoing use of validated instruments to monitor symptoms and guide treatment.

Case Conceptualization

A structured framework describing patient concerns, hypotheses, and treatment plan.

Problem List Example

A structured table listing problems with frequency, severity, and impact.

Clinical Hypotheses

Focused ideas about the mechanisms maintaining a patient’s problems used to guide treatment.

Treatment Plan

Agreed-upon strategy outlining causes of difficulties and intervention steps.

Graded goals

Breaking goals into small, progressive steps to avoid overwhelm.

Operationalization

Defining goals and steps in concrete, observable terms.

Goal Setting

Collaboratively identifying observable, measurable outcomes tied to skills to address.

Maintenance of change

Strategies to help patients sustain gains after active treatment ends.

Suicidality assessment

Systematic inquiry into ideation, intent, plan, hopelessness, and safety.

Orientation to Brief CBT

Discussing the theory, model, structure, and expectations of therapy in initial sessions.

Collaborative therapeutic relationship

A partnership between provider and patient emphasizing shared goals and joint effort.

Cultural identifiers

Race, ethnicity, nationality, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, SES, religion, disability, language, residence.

Cultural competence

Ability to understand, respect, and integrate a patient’s culture into therapy.

Microaggressions

Subtle, often unintentional slights or insults based on culture or identity.

Explicit vs. implicit bias

Conscious (explicit) versus unconscious (implicit) attitudes toward others.

Telemental health

Delivery of psychotherapy through technology (video, phone, apps) to increase access.

Privacy and HIPAA in telemental health

Ensuring secure connections, confidentiality, and compliant practices during remote sessions.

STEPS (Self-Study Considerations)

Pre-engagement checklist addressing state licensure, technology, ethics, relationships, and training for telehealth.