Cognitive-behavioral therapy: applications, benefits, and integration

Cognitive-behavioral and behavioral therapies can be remarkably flexible and adaptable to different patient populations. Like many other integrative theories, cognitive-behavioral theories have developed into a cohesive set of beliefs and applications for treatment. There are many benefits to using both behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies, one of which is their focus on solutions rather than stressing the causes of problems as with psychoanalytic theories. Cognitive-behavioral theories try to help clients discover new ways of coping with stress by changing thoughts and behaviors. By changing underlying thoughts and cognitive schemas, the person can experience lasting changes in behavior as well as other tangible outcomes such as relationship harmony or physical health. The theory is that distortions in thinking such as unrealistic expectations can impede healthy functioning (Corsini & Weddong, 2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapies may be helpful for people with addictions, anger management problems, and other issues that impact daily life but which do not have their roots in serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

Because they are flexible theories in general, cognitive-behavioral and behavioral therapies can be used as adjuncts to psychopharmacology and other interventions. Moreover, cognitive-behavioral therapies can work well with mindfulness and "acceptance and commitment therapies," which are actually classified as types of cognitive-behavioral therapies (Corsini & Wedding, 2014, p. 60). The approach of mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapies is that the client ceases to judge and engage negative thoughts, instead focusing on the realities of the present moment. Freeing up the mind from judgmental thinking, the person can also envision goals and a plan for achieving goals (Corsini & Wedding, 2014). The client can learn coping mechanisms and exercises that can extend far beyond the therapeutic relationship, making cognitive-behavioral therapy conducive to brief and solution-focused methods.

Although cognitive-behavioral therapies might not be effective for treating serious mental illnesses involving hallucinations or delusions, the cognitive-behavioral therapies can be effective on depression, especially when paired with spirituality (Good, 2010). The obvious benefit of integrative therapies is that the client's needs are attended to, as well as individual and cultural differences that might make some people more responsive to different types of interventions. For example, some clients might prefer the mindfulness approach due to a sympathy with Buddhist teachings. All forms of cognitive-behavioral therapies count on the use of cognitive techniques that help the client to self-monitor. By teaching self-monitoring of negative or destructive thoughts and beliefs, the client is empowered to make the desired changes in his or her life. Other issues include maladaptive and automatic thoughts, which the therapist can help the client to identify (Corsini & Weddins, 2014). Even the types of cognitive-behavioral therapies that rely on spiritual components have a scientific underpinning, providing the therapist with evidence-based practice (Good, 2010). The greatest challenge for the counselor is the hard work involved with adapting the many varieties and approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy for each client.