CBT

• CBT is a method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques
• from the cognitive viewpoint, the therapy aims to to deal with thinking, such as challenging negative thoughts
• the therapy also includes behavioural techniques such as behavioural activation
• CBT begins with an assessment in which the patient and therapist work together to clarify the patient's problems
• the patient and therapist jointly identify goals for the therapy and put together a plan to achieve them
• Some CBT therapists use techniques purely from Beck's cognitive therapy but others rely exclusively on Ellis' rational and emotional behaviour therapy. Most draw on both
• CBT based on Beck’s theory:

  Involves identifying negative thoughts about oneself, the world and the future. Once these thoughts have been identified, they must be challenged
• Patients using Beck's therapy might be challenged to test the reality of their negative beliefs through homework e,g to record an event of when someone was nice to them
• Ellis’ cognitive therapy:

  Extends on the ABC model to the ABCDE model
• D = dispute and E = effect
• Ellis devised REBT (rational emotive behaviour therapy), which aims to identify and dispute irrational thoughts so the therapist challenges the irrational belief with a vigorous argument intended to change the irrational belief and break the link between negative life events and depression
• Ellis identified different methods of disputing:

  • empirical argument
  • logical argument
• the empirical argument involves disputing evidence to support the irrational belief
• The logical argument involves disputing whether the negative thought logically follows from the facts
• March et al (2007) conducted a study looking at the effectiveness of CBT when compared with antidepressant medication. They found CBT was as effective as medication and helpful alongside medication
• One of the basic principles of CBT is that the focus in therapy is on the present and future. Some patients are aware there is a link between past experiences and depression and will want to talk about them. They might find it frustrating as they want to focus on the past and this is not the main focus of the treatment. They may be disillusioned and stop treatment
• Successful treatment is reliant on therapist-patient relationships
• Rosenzweig (1936) suggested the differences between methods of psychotherapies is quite small. They all share a therapist-patient relationship. It may be the quality of this relationship that determines success rather than the techniques used