3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Its a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people learn how to identify and change
destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behavior and
emotions.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the automatic negative thoughts that can
contribute to and worsen emotional difficulties, depression, and anxiety.
• These spontaneous negative thoughts have a detrimental influence on mood.
• Through CBT, these thoughts are identified, challenged, and replaced with more objective,
realistic thoughts.
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4. Background
CBT explores the relationship between feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. As such, it arose from
two very distinct schools of psychology: behaviorism and cognitive therapy.
Behavioral therapy roots:
Behaviorism is based on the idea that behaviors can be measured, trained, and even changed.
It says that it is our responses to environmental stimuli that shape our behaviors.
Cognitive therapy roots:
In the 1950s and 1960s, American psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck noticed that his clients had internal
dialogues going on in their minds during analytical sessions. He discovered that the clients
appeared to almost be talking to themselves, but they only shared a small part of this kind of
thinking with him. Beck called it cognitive therapy because of the importance of it places on
thinking.
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5. Automatic thoughts
Beck understood the importance of the link between thoughts and feelings, and he coined
the term “automatic thoughts” to describe the emotional thoughts that pop up in people’s
minds.
Merging approaches
As the popularity of cognitive therapies began to soar, psychologists started to merge the
two approaches to successfully treat issues. CBT focuses on the client’s beliefs, experiences,
and feelings at the present moment.
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6. GOALS
The promotion of
self-awareness and
emotional
intelligence
Helping clients
understand
distorted
perceptions
The rapid
reduction of
symptoms
The development
of self-control
Prevention of
future episodes
of emotional
distress
7. TECHNIQUES
Cognitive restructuring or reframing
Guided discovery
Unraveling Cognitive Distortions
Exposure therapy
Journaling and thought records
Behavior activation
Reframing
Relaxation and Mindfulness techniques
Role playing
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8. Cognitive restructuring or reframing
This involves taking a hard look at negative thought patterns.
When one tend to over-generalize, assume the worst will happen, or place far too much
importance on minor details.
For example: “I blew the report because I’m totally useless” can become “That report wasn’t
my best work, but I’m a valuable employee and I contribute in many ways.”
Guided discovery
In guided discovery, the counselor will acquaint himself with client’s viewpoint.
Then they’ll ask questions designed to challenge client’s beliefs and broaden his/her thinking.
Client might be asked to give evidence that supports his/her assumptions, as well as evidence
that does not.
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9. Unraveling cognitive distortions
This is a primary goal of CBT and can be practiced
with or without the help of a counselor
In order to unravel cognitive distortions, client must
first become aware of the distortions from which
he/she commonly suffer.
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10. Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy can be used to confront fears and phobias.
The counselor will slowly expose client to the things that provoke fear
or anxiety, while providing guidance on how to cope with them in the
moment.
Flooding
Systematic desensitization
Journaling and thought records
This technique is a way to gather about one’s moods and thoughts.
A CBT journal can include the time of the mood or thought, the
source of it, the extent or intensity, and how we reacted, among other
factors.
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11. Behavior Activation
Intentionally taking part in activities that are enjoyable helps to reduce
negative thinking and promotes more positive emotions and feelings of
wellbeing.
This technique is particularly helpful for clients with depression
Reframing
The act of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones as soon as the
negative thought occurs.
Disrupts the negative cycle of perpetuation and resets the focus on something
positive
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12. Role playing
Role playing can help client work through different behaviors in potentially
difficult situations. Playing out possible scenarios can lessen fear.
Relaxation and Mindfulness techniques
In CBT, client may be taught some progressive relaxation techniques, such
as:
Deep breathing exercises
Muscle relaxation
Meditation
Client learn practical skills to help lower stress and increase sense of control.
This can be helpful in dealing with phobias, social anxieties, and other
stressors.
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13. TIME ORIENTATION
If client have CBT on individual basis,
client will have sessions ranging from
about five to 20 sessions in total.
Each session lasting 30 to 60 minutes.
Exposure therapy sessions usually last
longer to ensure clients anxiety reduces
during the session.
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14. STRENGTHS
1
Can be as
effective as
medication
2
Can be
completed in a
relatively short
period of time
3
Focuses on re-
training of
thoughts and
altering
behaviors
4
Highly
structured
nature
5
Skills client learn in
CBT can be
incorporated into
everyday life
15. WEAKNESSES
1
Cannot be benefit
without client’s co-
operation
2
Sessions can
take up a lot
of your time
3
May not be
suitable for
people with more
complex mental
health needs
4
To work best with
older children and
teens
5
CBT only addresses
current problems and
focuses on specific
issues
6
CBT focuses on
the individual’s
capacity to
change
themselves