CBT is a learning process that shows patients how to develop tools to overcome symptoms and redirect their approaches to life. It is goal-oriented, the patient and therapist discussing and agreeing on what is to be worked on in the sessions. It is present-oriented, the emphasis being placed on dealing with thoughts and reactions in the present, rather than on uncovering underlying issues from the past. It uses techniques that challenge thought and belief patterns in an attempt to encourage personal growth and fulfillment through a re-education process. It incorporates relaxation techniques to enable patients to cope with situations and to retrain their response to them. It is also generally a short-term therapy whose progress is monitored through activities and homework.

The integration of cognitive and behavioral techniques can vary by therapist, facility and/or the needs of the patient. Some of the better known approaches to treatment include:

Cognitive Therapy (CT)
Aaron T. Beck, a psychoanalyst, developed this therapy in the 1960s. It focuses primarily on our cognitive processes and our perceptions. These perceptions, which translate to how we think about something, strongly influences our emotional reaction. In other words, different people, by virtue of their thoughts, will respond differently to the same thing. Cognitive therapy addresses “automatic thought” responses, and tests the validity of existing beliefs, allowing the patient to reevaluate them and learn to think and respond in a more realistic manner.

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Previously called Rational Emotive Therapy, REBT was developed by Albert Ellis in the 1950s and blends cognitive and behavioral approaches. It also utilizes an action-oriented approach that focuses on the present and the behaviors and thoughts we hold that may block our ability to solve problems, overcome personal growth issues, and experience life more fully. A variety of techniques are utilized to assist the patient in discovering dysfunctional patterns and enabling them to “dispute” them and approach life differently.

There are also a variety of other cognitive-behaviorally-based modalities, including techniques such as:

Biofeedback — Electronic devices are used to enable the patient to become aware of and control physiological processes such as heart rate, muscle tension, and body temperature. The goal is to allow the patient to move from an aroused to a more relaxed state.

Relaxation techniques — Other relaxation techniques use a variety of methods to induce relaxation and alter physiological processes such as decreased heart rate, reduced oxygen consumption and changes in brain waves, but without the use of electronic devices as in biofeedback. These techniques can include progressive relaxation (tensing and relaxing of muscle groups), guided imagery (visualizing relaxing images or situations) and breathing techniques which increase awareness of one’s breath and encourage deep diaphragmatic breathing.

Hypnosis — Hypnosis or trance is a state of heightened awareness that creates an openness to learning through suggestion of an idea, feeling or concept while the person is in a state of deep relaxation.

Systematic desensitization — Often used in phobia treatment, this technique trains you to relax while thinking about a normally stressful event. Eventually you are able to confront the actual “live” situation while remaining calm.

Content last modified on Mar 2, 2004