Cognitive Behavioral Therapies Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapies?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT) are a type of psychotherapy that focus on modifying maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors in order to reduce emotional distress or improve functioning. CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated, and that by altering thoughts or behaviors it is possible to alter feelings. CBT is commonly used to treat a variety of issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse problems, eating disorders, insomnia, marital issues, grief/loss issues and other mental health concerns. The goal of CBT is to identify maladaptive thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that lead to negative emotions and ineffective behavior. Once these cognitive distortions are identified they can be challenged through techniques such as journaling and questioning the evidence for them. For example if someone has the cognitive distortion I am worthless they can challenge its validity by writing down the evidence for why this statement may not be true or asking themselves what would I say if my friend told me this? Through such exercises people can begin to see their thoughts from a different perspective which can help them modify their behavior in order to achieve desired results. In addition to challenging thoughts CBT practitioners also use techniques such as role playing or exposure therapy in order to help clients confront particular fears or situations they may be avoiding due to negative beliefs associated with them. Through repeated exposure clients learn how better cope with their fear instead of avoiding it which helps reduce distress associated with it. Overall CBT offers an effective means of learning how better manage stressful situations by helping people identify irrational beliefs that lead too feelings of helplessness or lack of control and replacing them with more realistic views leading more successful outcomes.