Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Definition of Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a form of talk therapy that tends to emphasize the present (more than traditional psychoanalytic therapy), structured, and goal focused. It is also rooted in theories and techniques that have been scientifically tested.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of treatment utilizing techniques based on cognitive and behavioral theories of emotions and behaviors. Most techniques have been based on learning principles such as , classical conditioning, operant conditioning, or social learning (modeling). Later, cognitive theories of emotion based on the SORC model (Stimulus, Organism-internal factors like cognitions, Response, Consequence).
Cognitive Behavioral Treatments
Traditional behavior therapies include Exposure plus Response Prevention (ERP, also called Flooding), Implosive Therapy, Systematic Desnsitization, Shaping, Habit Reversal, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Role Playing, etc. Cognitive techniques evolved into forms of treatment including Rational Emotive Therapy (now called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy or REBT), Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Self-Instructional Training, etc.
Components of cognitive-behavior therapy have been studied more than other psychotherapies, and have proven to be effective. In as little as 8-12 weeks, many techniques have shown promising results. Cognitive restructuring, problem solving, relaxation training, communication skills, and combinations of these techniques have reduced both the experience of anger and many of the associated behaviors.
Overview and Example of Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
Cognitive-behavior therapy is a form treatment that focuses on alleviating current symptoms by addressing current causes of the problem(s). Specifically it is based on the theory that emotional problems are the result of the combination of situations and human beings beliefs about these events. Thoughts about how other people should behave, how mistreated I was when I was younger, the amount of respect I should be given, how frequently people should be polite and fair, etc.
The common model for conceptualizing this idea is Albert Ellis’ ABC model, where “A” stands for Activating Events, “B” stands for Beliefs, and “C” stands for Consequences.
Activating events (A’s), are anything real or imagined that activates our belief system (B’s) and results in an emotional consequence (C). Emotional Consequences (Ce’s), set the stage for behavioral consequences (Cb’s).
If you bumped by someone with a backpack while walking on the sidewalk, that could be an A. You may then believe (B), “He should watch where he is going, and at a minimum apologize.” The combination of this activating event (A) and belief (B), may result in anger, and an emotional consequence (C).
A x B = Ce
Activating event Belief Consequence emotional
(Inconsiderate behavior) (Others should always be considerate) (Anger)
