3.15 Study Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, techniques, definitions, and empirical support for cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Cognitive therapy

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on how a person’s thoughts lead to feelings of distress, with the aim of helping them change these irrational thoughts.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

A form of psychotherapy that aims to change cognitive distortions and self-defeating behaviors by examining how thoughts affect behavior.

Rational emotive therapy (RET)

A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Cognitive distortion

An error in thinking where a client misinterprets a situation, such as overgeneralizing or blowing things out of proportion, which contributes to feelings of distress.

Cognitive restructuring (Reappraisal)

A fundamental technique in CBT where the therapist helps a client identify and modify inaccurate or maladaptive thoughts into adaptive ones.

Internal beliefs model of emotional reactions

The psychological model demonstrating that emotional outcomes (e.g., depression vs. no depression) stem from internal beliefs about an event (e.g., a failed test) rather than the event itself.

Present-focused approach

A characteristic of CBT and cognitive therapy that emphasizes understanding and changing a client's current situation, thoughts, and behaviors, rather than dwelling primarily on past or childhood experiences.

CBT treatment duration

A brief, time-limited therapeutic approach that often achieves significant benefits in 12–16 sessions or less.

Between-session homework assignments

Interactive tasks given in CBT (such as worksheets) for clients to record urges, thoughts, and replacement behaviors to practice new cognitive and behavioral patterns between sessions.

Manualized treatment

A standardized delivery method of CBT using manuals or books to guide brief, direct, time-limited, and technique-driven treatments for specific psychological disorders.

Judith Beck

A psychologist and daughter of Aaron Beck who discusses cognitive therapy and demonstrates therapy sessions with clients.

CBT effectiveness in depression

Treatment that shows equal or better effectiveness than antidepressant medications, with significantly lower rates of relapse after completion.

CBT advantages in anxiety treatment

Treatment providing significant therapeutic benefits without the risks of dependence, withdrawal, or relapse associated with benzodiazepine medications.