Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (previously known as cognitive therapy) is a theoretical framework of psychotherapy, which originated in the 1950s. It continues to grow globally, with application in diverse cultures. As the name suggests, CBT identifies the relationship between cognition or thinking and behaviour or action. It is firmly based on a “meditational approach”, whereby our patterns of thinking and perceiving are considered an important influencer (mediator) for behaviour.

Various eminent proponents of CBT during the early 1960s include Aaron T. Beck, Albert Ellis, Michael J Mahoney, and Donald Meichenbaum. These individuals are credited with devising the basic principles and methods of CBT.

The framework of modern CBT:

CBT emphasizes that an individual’s emotions, behaviour and physiological processes come under the strong influence of their perception of events. As different treatment modalities exist under the umbrella of CBT, the importance placed on each of these elements alters according to the goals of the modality being adopted. A common link between them is the fact that they use the same indices to evaluate change- behaviour and cognition.

As explained by the pioneers of CBT, it is not the situation at hand that determines an individual’s response directly, but the way it is interpreted that determines it5. Hence, in any situation, an individual can have different streams of thought. One of these streams is of keen interest to a cognitive behavioural therapist. And that is of the “automatic thoughts”; the rapid, brief, stream of thoughts that are not the result of deliberate efforts. It is this “automatic” flow that an individual is essentially unaware of and hence, might hold certain “hidden” tendencies affecting choices and responses. However, it is not intended to oversimplify the complexities of human response processes (emotional, behavioural, etc.). Especially since automatic thoughts are based on beliefs that one forms over their lifetime. But, at the fundamental level, automatic thoughts represent the final product that emerges from various factors. It is this cognitive conceptualization that is an essential principle common to all modalities of CBT. It is the blueprint of CBT that a trained online psychologist must build upon.

Modalities of CBT:
The techniques of CBT can be divided into the following:

• Cognitive restructuring methods
• Coping skills
• Problem-solving skills

Each of these therapies follows the tenets of the cognitive framework with individual goals. To elucidate further, cognitive restructuring methods are brought to use when maladaptive thinking patterns or styles are considered as the harbinger of distress. It focuses on altering these maladaptive thinking patterns to bring about change. Coping skills can assist a client in more general ways, for example, by using humour, and creative expressions to deal constructively with stressful events. And lastly, problem-solving skills focus on developing a set of strategies, such as level-headedness, logical thinking, etc., that come into use when dealing with difficult events.

Evidence Base:
CBT as psychotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for adults. There are numerous research studies to bolster its efficacy as a treatment for various psychological conditions (with or without medication) with the following conditions (amongst others):

• Mood Disorder: Unipolar depression., Severe depression, bipolar disorder.
• Anxiety Disorder: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Eating disorders: Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder
• Others: Marital Distress, Anger Management.

WANT TO GO FOR ONLINE THERAPY?
HopeQure’s health services use a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform. If you have chosen to pursue online counselling. Our therapists serve adults, adolescents, and the elderly. You can access the services, programs, and webinars at our site, regardless of where you live. To schedule an online session for you or a loved one, select a therapist  here.