What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Essay

1487 Words3 Pages

Writing Assignment 2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is still a somewhat new therapeutic technique. It developed its roots from several behavioral analysts and cognitive therapists, but truly became popular during the cognitive revolution during the 1980’s and 1990’s with Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck. At its most basic conceptualization, CBT is addressing abnormal thought processes and adjusting the maladaptive behaviors that are produced because of these abnormal, or stress inducing thoughts. Initially CBT was used as a treatment for depression, but since its success, is now used to treat a plethora of psychological targets. Among the most common therapeutic targets for CBT are mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, addiction, dependence and in certain cases …show more content…

Following that, the next step in the process includes performing the actual assessment and defining the problems that will be the focus of the treatment. So if the therapist did choose to use the diagnostic interview for the assessment for the treatment process, this is when they would identify the phobia and define the specific behaviors and thought processes dictating that phobia which will guide the course of treatment. Once the problem is addressed the therapist can create a plan for treatment: how the problems will be specifically addressed and how maladaptive behaviors will be relearned or redirected. The therapist will then implement this plan, and finally terminate when appropriate (Ledley & Heimberg, Pg 74). The conclusion is the program is vastly important so as to not create a dependence on the therapist. During this time Ledley and Heimberg emphasize in Making Cognitive Therapy Work that the key skills to helping this process progress efficiently is establishing and maintaining an alliance with the individuals we work with and continuing to try to understand our client’s difficulties and how

Open Document