Module 6.3: Psychotherapy Approaches (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

Cgnitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Therapy focused on changingin negative thoughts and behaviors to improve well-being. Aims to change unhelpful patterns.

Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying and changing negative thought patterns.

Behavioral Activation: Engaging in valued activities to improve mood.

Present-Focused: Primarily addressing current problems.

Problem-Oriented: Structured and goal-focused therapy.

Active & Collaborative: Therapist and client work together actively.

Time-Limited: Often a relatively short-term therapy.

Evidence-Based: Techniques are often research-supported.

Automatic Thoughts: Spontaneous, often negative thoughts.

Cognitive Distortions: Irrational or unhelpful thinking patterns.

Core Beliefs: Deep-seated beliefs about self, others, and the world.

Schemas: Broad patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Behavioral Activation: Scheduling valued activities.

Exposure Therapy: Gradual confrontation of feared stimuli.

Relaxation Techniques: Strategies to reduce physiological arousal.

Problem-Solving: Systematic approach to addressing issues.

Skills Training: Learning specific coping skills (e.g., assertiveness).

Homework: Between-session tasks for practice.

Thought Records: Tool to identify and evaluate thoughts.

Behavioral Experiments: Testing the validity of negative thoughts in real life.

All-or-Nothing Thinking: Seeing things in extreme categories.

Overgeneralization: Broad negative conclusions from one event.

Mental Filter: Focusing only on the negative.

Jumping to Conclusions: Making negative assumptions without evidence.

Catastrophizing: Exaggerating the negative.

“Should” Statements: Rigid rules leading to guilt/frustration.

Aaron T. Beck: Founder of Cognitive Therapy.

Albert Ellis: Developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).