What is cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Cognitive–behavioral therapy is based on two separate theoretical models,
both cognitive and behavioral. Cognitive models are based on the premise
that cognitions, or thoughts, determine emotions and behavior. Automatic
thoughts are one type of cognition that may be distorted by errors of
thinking such as over-generalization, catastrophic thinking, jumping to
conclusions, or personalization. Errors in thinking tend to be more
frequent and intense in depression as well as in other psychiatric
disorders. Behavioral models are based on theories of learning such as by
modeling or by reinforcement to certain responses.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an approach that uses techniques based on
the models described previously here. A greater emphasis on cognitive
approaches or on behavioral approaches may be taken depending on the
disorder and the stage of treatment. Cognitive techniques include:
Behavioral techniques include:
Through many
of these techniques, patients learn to manage their anxiety and reactions
to stress appropriately. Exposure training is a technique that uses
graded exposure to a high-anxiety situation by breaking the task into
small steps that are focused on one by one.
Cognitive–behavioral therapy has been the best studied form of
psychotherapy and has been shown to treat depression effectively. It is
probably more appropriate in cases of mild to moderate depression that is
acute. Treatment typically lasts 3 to 6 months with 10 to 20 weekly
sessions. The patient is expected to be an active participant in trying
new strategies and will be expected to do homework.
