What type of therapy is an action therapy that uses learning principles to make positive changes in behavior?
What is CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that explores the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Show
CBT is a goal-oriented, time-based, structured treatment that is effective for a range of mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders and depression. It is the most widely researched psychotherapy and has a strong evidence-based framework that supports the effectiveness of the treatment. Basics of CBTCBT is focused on learning to alter your thoughts (cognitions) and your actions (behaviors), which is why it is called cognitive-behavioral therapy. Aaron Beck, known as the Father of CBT, defined three levels of cognition:
1. Core Beliefs 2. Dysfunctional Assumptions (Cognitive Distortions) Dysfunctional Assumptions occur because we tend to focus on the negatives. This causes a distorted perception of reality and misinterpretation of information. These cognitive distortions are irrational thought patterns that are exaggerated by negative thinking and feelings. There are 15 common distortions that distort our perceptions of reality in a negative way. 3. Automatic Negative Thoughts Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) are involuntary negative perceptions of reality that occur habitually. They can be difficult to recognize because they are fleeting and cause negative emotions to occur. You can challenge ANTs by altering your thoughts and reframing them more rationally and positively. Beck’s Cognitive ModelThe CBT model was developed by Aaron Beck and used as a framework to understand a person’s mental distress. This framework follows a simple process: It starts with a distressing situation/trigger → which causes a person to have negative thoughts → this causes negative emotions and physical distress → which leads to negative behaviors. Here is an example of someone who gets anxious around dogs compared to someone who isn't in the same situation: This visual representation of your anxiety helps you understand what is actually happening. It can help you realize that your thoughts are not facts and seeing them laid out in this framework can help break the cycle. History of CBTThe adoption of cognitive-behavioral therapy progressed slowly over time and was considered controversial during its development. Dr. Albert Ellis pioneered behavior therapy in the 1950s with his work on helping patients identify and challenge irrational thoughts. In the 1960s Dr. Aaron T. Beck developed the practice for cognitive behavioral therapy. His theories on cognitive distortions helped evolve CBT to what we know today. Aaron Beck’s approach to psychotherapy was groundbreaking and the scientific evidence today has proven the efficacy of his theories. Dr. Judith S. Beck followed her father’s footsteps and made a significant impact on CBT as well. She developed 10 principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to provide an effective CBT treatment program. Although therapy should be tailored to an individual's needs, Judith Beck defined 10 principles that underlie cognitive behavior therapy for all patients. These principles are outlined in her book: Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond. 1. CBT is based on an ever-evolving formulation of patients’ problems and an individual conceptualization of each patient in cognitive termsThe patient's current thinking patterns and problematic behaviors are identified. Several factors must be considered including the patient's life experiences, throughout childhood, and even through the therapy sessions. A conceptualization of the patient is formulated based on the information gathered to provide an accurate picture of the patient’s whole situation. This conceptualization is refined each session as more information becomes available. 2. CBT requires a sound therapeutic allianceIt is important to have a strong trusting relationship between the therapist and patient. The therapist should be able to provide care, warmth, empathy, and competence. 3. CBT emphasizes collaboration and active participationTeamwork is encouraged throughout the sessions and decisions of what to work on and how often are decided together. Active participation from the patient is important for making a lasting impact in their treatment. 4. CBT is goal-oriented and problem-focusedThe patient should set specific goals during the initial sessions. Goals are necessary to evaluate and respond to thoughts that interfere with those goals. This helps the patient easily identify and interrupt those thoughts. 5. CBT initially emphasizes the presentThe treatment should be focused on current problems and specific situations that are distressing to them. CBT only considers the past when the patient expresses a strong preference to do so or the patient gets stuck in dysfunctional thinking and trying to understand their childhood can potentially help modify their core beliefs. 6. CBT is educative, aims to teach the patient to be their own therapist, and emphasizes relapse preventionTeaching the patient to understand the process, how their thoughts influence emotions and behavior, how to identify and evaluate their thoughts and beliefs, and plan for behavioral changes is an essential part of CBT. 7. CBT aims to be time-limitedStraightforward anxiety and depression can typically be treated within 6 to 14 sessions. However, for those with more severe mental illnesses and rigid beliefs, the time frame can range from a few months to years if necessary. 8. CBT sessions are structuredStructured treatment helps maximize efficiency and effectiveness. This process includes:
9. CBT teaches patients to identify, evaluate, and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts and beliefsTherapists help patients identify key cognitions and adopt more realistic, rational perspectives. This is achieved through the process of guided discovery by questioning their thoughts to evaluate their thinking. Also, the therapist creates behavioral experiments for the patient to directly test their thinking. 10. CBT uses a variety of techniques to change thinking, mood, and behaviorBehavioral and problem-solving techniques are essential in CBT. The types of techniques the therapist will select will be influenced by the conceptualization of the patient, the problem you are discussing, and your objectives for the session. CBT TreatmentWhat you can expect to see from a CBT treatment program with a therapist:
CBT is a type of therapy that requires active participation from the patient. You need to put in the effort and work to benefit from the treatment. What You Will Learn in CBTThe main focus of CBT is to alter your negative thoughts and behaviors to be more rational. Throughout your CBT sessions you can expect to learn to:
Basic CBT TechniquesThere are various techniques that will be utilized during your CBT treatment. Here are 10 common techniques used in cognitive therapy:
Pros and Cons of CBTAlthough the cognitive-behavioral approach has been proven to be effective for most people with a wide range of applications, it isn’t necessarily for everyone. Here are the advantages of the CBT approach:
Some of the disadvantages of CBT are:
Now that you are familiar with the principles of CBT and treatment techniques utilized, start challenging and reframe automatic thoughts today. What type of therapy is action therapy?Action Therapy With Families and Groups introduces clinicians to innovative therapeutic options that can be used with families and groups: action methods or therapy approaches involving physical movement and expressive arts techniques.
Which of the following is a type of action therapy that uses learning principles to help a person make constructive changes?behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is a type of action therapy to help patients make changes to their coping mechanisms and behavioral health.
Which of the following therapies uses principles of learning?In behavior therapy, a therapist employs principles of learning to help clients change undesirable behaviors—rather than digging deeply into one's unconscious.
What type of therapy uses learning based techniques?Behavioral therapy is rooted in the principles of behaviorism, a school of thought focused on the idea that we learn from our environment.
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