Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

Cognitive Therapies597Table 14.6Comparing Cognitive TherapiesType of Therapy Founder Source of Problems Treatment Techniques Goals of TherapyRational-emotive Albert Ellis Irrational beliefs Very directive: Identify, logically Surrender of irrational beliefstherapy (RET) dispute, and challenge irrational and absolutist demandsbeliefsCognitive therapy Aaron T. Beck Unrealistic, distorted perceptions Directive collaboration: Teach Accurate and realistic perception(CT) and interpretations of events client to monitor automatic of self, others, and externaldue to cognitive biases thoughts; test accuracy of eventsconclusions; correct distortedthinking and perceptionInitially, the CT therapist acts as a model, showing the client how to evaluate theaccuracy of automatic thoughts. By modeling techniques for evaluating the accuracyof automatic thoughts, the therapist hopes to eventually teach the client to do thesame on her own. The CT therapist also strives to create a therapeutic climate of collaborationthat encourages the client to contribute to the evaluation of the logic andaccuracy of automatic thoughts (Beck & others, 1979). This approach contrastswith the confrontational approach used by the RET therapist, who directly challengesthe client’s thoughts and beliefs.Beck’s cognitive therapy has been shown to be effective in treating depressionand other psychological disorders, including anxiety disorders, borderline personalitydisorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and relationshipproblems (Dobson & Dobson, 2009; Gaudiano, 2008; G. K. Brown & others,2004; Hollon & Beck, 2004). Along with effectively treating depression, cognitivetherapy may also help prevent depression from recurring, especially if clients learnand then use the skills they have learned in therapy. In one recent study, high-riskpatients who had experienced several episodes of depression in the past were muchless likely to relapse when they continued cognitive therapy after their depressionhad lifted (Beck & Alford, 2009). Beck’s cognitive therapy techniques have evenbeen adapted to help treat psychotic symptoms, such as the delusions and disorganizedthought processes that often characterize schizophrenia (Beck & others,2008; Miles & others, 2007).Table 14.6 summarizes the key characteristics of Ellis’s rational-emotive therapyand Beck’s cognitive therapy.cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)Therapy that integrates cognitive andbehavioral techniques and that is based onthe assumption that thoughts, moods, andbehaviors are interrelated.Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyAlthough we’ve presented cognitive and behavioral therapies in separate sections,it’s important to note that cognitive and behavioral techniques are often combinedin therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (abbreviated CBT) refers to a group ofpsychotherapies that incorporate techniques from both approaches. CBT is based onthe assumption that cognitions, behaviors, and emotional responses are interrelated(Hollon & Beck, 2004). Thus, changes in thought patterns will affect moods andbehaviors, and changes in behaviors will affect thoughts and moods. Along withchallenging maladaptive beliefs and substituting more adaptive cognitions, the therapistuses behavior modification, shaping, reinforcement, and modeling to teachproblem solving and to change unhealthy behavior patterns.The hallmark of cognitive-behavioral therapy is its pragmatic approach. Therapistsdesign an integrated treatment plan, utilizing the techniques that aremost appropriate for specific problems.Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been used in the treatment of children,adolescents, and the elderly (Kazdin, 2003; Steele & others, 2008). Studies haveshown that cognitive-behavioral therapy is a very effective treatment for many disorders,including depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders“And what do you think will happen if youdo get on the couch?”© The New Yorker Collection 1996Charles Barsotti fromcartoonbank.com. All Right Reserved.