What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural theory, or CBT, typically approaches problems with a here-and-now focus. It is one of the most research-backed and evidence-based treatment types [4] for depression and anxiety disorders [3]. Specifically, CBT is a first-choice treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (Mayo-Wilson et al., 2014, as cited in Singh & Samantaray, 2022) and OCD (Exposure and Response Prevention) [1]. It has also been proven to be effective in reducing alcohol and drug use problems, and eating disorders [2]. CBT looks to change problematic thoughts and behaviours with a collaborative approach between the therapist and client. It often includes having “homework” between sessions to continue the forward momentum gained in session. Dr. Aaron Beck, known as the father of CBT, has linked negative thought patterns to maintaining depressive symptoms (Beck, 1976, as cited in Pittard, 2021). If you are experiencing negative patterns of thinking you are not alone! In fact, these patterns are so common that they have their own names. A CBT therapist can help you to put a name to these types of thinking patterns and give you the tools to correct them. When corrected to become positive, positive thoughts are thought to actually shield you from depression [5]. This is a goal of CBT-for you to reduce your symptoms and have the skills to eventually become your own therapist (and fire us)!
Sources:
[1] American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is are obsessive-compulsive and related disorders?. Psychiatry.org - What Is are Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
[2] APA Div. 12. (2017). What is cognitive behavioral therapy?. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
[3] Cuijpers, P., Quero, S., Noma, H., Ciharova, M., Miguel, C., Karyotaki, E., Cipriani, A., Cristea, I. A., & Furukawa, T. A. (2021). Psychotherapies for depression: A network meta‐analysis covering efficacy, acceptability and long‐term outcomes of all main treatment types. World Psychiatry, 20(2), 283–293. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20860
[4] David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004
[5] Pittard, C. M., Pössel, P., Adelson, J. L., Spence, S. H., Sheffield, J., & Sawyer, M. G. (2021). The Conceptualization of the Positive Cognitive Triad and Associations with Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 52(5), 903–915. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01062-w
[6] Singh, P., & Samantaray, N. N. (2022). Brief Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy and Verbal-Exposure-Augmented Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in University Students: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 44(6), 552–557. https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176211026250