Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A set of vocabulary flashcards designed to reinforce key concepts related to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A psychotherapeutic approach that combines behavioral and cognitive theories to treat mental health issues.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior.

Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATS)

Thoughts that occur spontaneously and are often negative and involuntary, potentially leading to distress.

Cognitive Restructuring

A therapeutic process involving the identification and challenging of negative thoughts and beliefs.

Desensitization

A therapeutic process where a person is gradually exposed to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety.

Emotional reasoning

The cognitive distortion where a person assumes that their emotional reaction reflects the true nature of situations.

Graded Exposure

A technique where a person is gradually exposed to feared situations or objects to reduce anxiety.

Socratic Questioning

A method of questioning that encourages critical thinking and helps clients explore their thoughts and beliefs.

Belief Schemas

Cognitive structures that help organize information and impact how individuals process experiences.

Behavioral Activation

A treatment approach focusing on increasing engagement in valued activities to combat depression.

Conditioning

The process of learning associations between environmental stimuli and responses.

Cognitive Distortions

Systematic ways of thinking that are flawed and contribute to negative emotional states.

Avoidance

A behavioral strategy that involves steering clear of feared situations, which often exacerbates anxiety.

Exposure Therapy

A psychological treatment that helps individuals confront their fears in a controlled environment.

Core Beliefs

Fundamental beliefs that shape an individual's perception and attitude toward themselves and the world.

Behavioral Experiments

Therapeutic techniques that test the validity of beliefs through real-world experimentation.

Mindfulness

A mental practice focusing on being present and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Cognitive Therapy

A form of therapy that prioritizes changing maladaptive thought patterns to reduce emotional distress.

Functional Analysis

An assessment that identifies the antecedents and consequences of a behavior in order to understand its functions.

Activity Scheduling

A therapeutic strategy used to help individuals plan and engage in positive activities to improve mood.