Cognitive-based therapy: principles and applications

CBT

The always developing field of psychology and the tools used to develop this science, have provided many patients with much need relief. The constant evolution of the mind requires that clinical practices within mental health treatments also evolve and grow with the human race. The purpose of this essay is to discus Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), as a useful method of treating mental and psychological issues.

First CBT will be discussed in general, and useful ideas presented about the approach will be introduced. A practical example of this therapy will also be highlighted to contextualize the information. Next, this essay will address CBT can be used specifically for the treatment for depression and the issues associated with that idea. Finally, this essay will address how computerized CBT software programs are assisting in treating these types of issues.

CBT

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is simply a form of psychotherapy that highlights the importance of emotions and how we feel about issues. Within this style of therapy, there exists many subsets of this approach that include Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Rational Behavior Therapy, Rational Living Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectic Behavior Therapy. These are all very similar ideas and all share similar qualities that define the CBT model.

CBT addresses the hidden aspect of our psyche, as it looks to examine how the mind processes information through the emotional lens. The premise behind the therapy is that the thoughts of an individual dictate our feelings, behaviors and life events. The therapy therefore looks to address the emotional causes of dysfunction and investigates how these feelings manifest our life's events.

Martin (20070suggested that these techniques, when properly applied can bring about fast and simple relief to problems that have plagued patients for years if not for a lifetime. He wrote "An important advantage of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it tends to be short, taking four to seven months for most emotional problems. CBT introduces them to a set of principles that they can apply whenever they need to, and which will stand them in good stead throughout their lives."

The idea behind CBT's effectiveness is that it is inherently simple and requires the patient to make active and willful determination in order for it to work. The therapist in this case achieves a balanced role in the treatment by placing the onus of the effort on the patient themselves. This is beneficial because self healing confidence can grow and flourish with practical CBT applications.

By removing the premise that the outside world dictates how one should feel, CBT frees the patient to take responsibility for their own actions, and make a willful choice on how they feel. The old adage that we cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we feel about it applies directly to the underlying essence of this model.

Fundamentals of CBT

To address the problem of the patient it is important that therapist, or the patient themselves can identify the root issues of the problem. This important step is the starting point for the therapy. To successfully address the patient using CBT, the patient needs to be made aware of the power of the feelings that are created within the human psyche. Identifying emotions and triggering synapses in behavior are ways in which the therapy can be addressed in a direct manner.

The route to theses emotions may vary, but eventually the therapist must all demonstrate how the patient by changing his or her emotional state may change the results of their efforts to live a fruitful life. One effective method of performing this task is a technique called imagery-based exposure and has created great results when applied in certain situations. Boyes (2012) wrote "one version of imagery exposure involves bringing to mind a recent memory that provoked strong negative emotions. In imagery exposure, the person would bring the situation of being given the feedback to mind and remember it in lots of sensory detail (e.g., the supervisor's tone of voice, what the room looked like). They would also attempt to accurately label the emotions and thoughts they experienced during the interaction, and what their behavioral urges were (e.g., to run out of the room and cry, or to get angry)."

Treatment of Depression

Depression is a psychological condition, that if goes untreated, may cause serious pain and discomfort in those who suffer from this ailment. The CBT method of treating depression can be understood in cognitive or behavioral ways. Cognitively, this type of treatment can help the awakened conscious self-identify how the internal emotional projections are driving behaviors. In other words encourage the practice of consciousness being aware of itself. This metaphysical exercise is useful and can be practiced at any and all times. The behavioral component of treating depression with CBT models focuses on how the patient assesses the different daily activities that may affect the patient's mood, and how those moods may be amplified and sustained to treat the symptoms of depression.

There is much empirical support for the use of CBT in treating depression as a mental problem. Whitfield & Wlliams (2003) identified that within clinical settings CBT treatments garnered much success in treating patients. They wrote " The Department of Health's (2001) review brings together much of the best available evidence for the effectiveness of psychological therapies and counseling. The publication highlights the extensive evidence for the effectiveness of CBT for depression, both in a range of settings and compared with a number of other treatments. There is also strong evidence to support the effectiveness of other therapies, for example interpersonal psychotherapy, problem-solving, group therapy, and marital and family interventions."

The use of CBT instead of the often dangerous antidepressant medication that often exacerbates the symptoms of depression, appears to be preferable in today's environment of mental health therapy. Mor & Haran (2009) discovered that CBT in comparison to these medications are cheaper, faster and safer than the antidepressant medications that are used so often. They wrote " CBT and antidepressant medications produce comparable improvements in the acute phase of the treatment of depression, but CBT produces lasting effects beyond treatment termination, whereas ADM's effects are more modest, " (p.272).