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You’ve possibly already heard a fair amount about cognitive behaviour therapy, but do we really understand what it really is and how it can help?
CBT is based on the premise that our feelings and our actions are determined by our thoughts rather than external influences such as situations, surroundings, events or others. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, works on the theory that we can still change how we feel and how we react to our thoughts and feelings even when the things that surround us (events, people and situations) remain unchanged.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for
Depression
Theorists have broken down the thought patterns
that occur in patients into 4 basic steps
It is ‘D’ (disputation) which is the key behind the therapy and it’s theories. An example of the above could be explained in the following scenario :
Danny and Sue have been dating for over a year, after which Sue decides to split from Danny and end their relationship (A - Activating Event). Following the split, Danny finds himself becoming more and more depressed (C - Emotional Consequence). This is due to Danny’s internal dialogue following his break up from Sue (B - Automatic Thought) “she was the love if my life, I will never find anyone like her and without her I am nothing” - his internal belief that his life has hit rock bottom. Therapists would encourage Danny to challenge this negative internal dialogue (D - Disputation) and that his future is determined by the choices he makes. The effort Danny makes will be the making of his success. That his hobbies, peer relationships, and his success at work can all contribute to the fullness of his life, and that having an intimate relationship is not the only thing that makes him whole.
Alternative approaches to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy can be based on more than just one method or approach to therapy. These different methods may include:
Although there are more than one approach to cognitive behaviour therapy, all methods tend to have the same characteristics. Cognitive behaviour therapy is considered to be the quickest form of therapy in terms of treatments for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Therapies such as psychoanalysis may take many sessions which in turn could add up to years of treatment, however CBT only takes 16 sessions with the patient.
The main focus of CBT is to encourage the patient to realise that once they can change how they think, then this will also bring about a change to their behaviour and feelings. This where the homework assignments and self assessment / counseling are particularly effective and beneficial. In addition to this, it is important that a good relationship between patient and therapist is present, as this can aid the therapy and speed up the process. Whilst teaching the patient that their actions are a direct result of their thoughts, cognitive behaviour therapy is not intended to simply tell them how they are supposed to feel. Instead it teaches them that even in the worst situations and circumstances, they need to look to feel calm and in control when these unpleasant and undesirable situations occur.
In addition to the therapist asking questions of the patient, the treatment also involves the patient having to start questioning themselves. They should not expect the therapist to have all the answers to their problems, and instead are encouraged to address and to also change their way of thinking using their own initiative. To share and express their goals in life, and what may be the best ways to achieve these goals.
CBT encourages the patient to learn new ways of thinking, and also their behaviour or reactions to different situations they may have previously found challenging or difficult. This is why take home assignments are of great importance to the therapy as a whole. This “homework” allows patients to practice their therapy and their “new” way of thinking and behaviour in all aspects of their life.
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