Contemporary Cognitive Behavioral Therapies Summary

Learning Objectives

  • Understand context and development of Contemporary Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT).

  • Communicate key concepts of CBT and therapeutic processes.

  • Describe therapeutic goals of CBT.

  • Identify common techniques used in CBT.

  • Understand CBT's relation to diverse populations.

  • Identify limitations and strengths of CBT.

The Third Generation of Behavior Therapy

  • Includes acceptance-based therapies: DBT, ACT, MBCT, schema therapy.

  • Focus on processing thoughts rather than content.

  • Goals: achieving peace and changing perspectives.

  • Emphasizes holism, wellness, and context.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980s for borderline personality disorder.

  • Balances acceptance and change, structured techniques.

  • Goals: emotion regulation, reducing suffering, improving relationships.

  • Key Concepts:

    • Dialectics: Investigating opposing principles to find truth.

    • Emotion Regulation: Responding healthily to emotions.

Therapeutic Techniques in DBT

  • Skills include:

    • Mindfulness: Present moment awareness.

    • Distress Tolerance: Strategies like self-soothing and radical acceptance.

    • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communication and conflict resolution skills.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Developed by Steven C. Hayes.

  • Focuses on acceptance of thoughts and emotions.

  • Promotes psychological flexibility through defusion and committed action.

Key Concepts of ACT

  • Experiential Avoidance: Avoiding distress can worsen problems.

  • Relational Frame Theory: Understanding how language influences thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

  • Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale.

  • Focuses on mindfulness to reduce stress and depression relapse.

  • Key Concepts: Acceptance, being mode vs. doing mode, mindfulness tenets.

Schema Therapy

  • Developed by Jeffrey E. Young.

  • Integrates psychodynamic and cognitive techniques.

  • Focuses on early maladaptive schemas developed in childhood.

Evaluation of Third-Wave CBT

  • Strengths: Addresses cultural diversity, effective mindfulness techniques, and long-lasting effects of DBT.

  • Limitations: Concerns over the spiritual aspects of mindfulness and extensive training required for therapists.

Additional Therapies

  • Behavioral Activation: Increases pleasurable activities to combat depression.

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy: Promotes self-kindness and emotional safety.

  • Metacognitive Therapy: Focuses on controlling thoughts and emotions to reduce suffering.