Download Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reflection Paper

Danette Crandell
Counseling Theory and Practice
LP9- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reflection Paper
April 29, 2015
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy
treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change
patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, and so change the way they
feel. It is used to help treat a wide range of issues in a person’s life, from sleeping difficulties or
relationship problems, to drug and alcohol abuse or anxiety and depression. CBT works by
changing people’s attitudes and their behavior by focusing on the thoughts, images, beliefs and
attitudes that we hold (our cognitive processes) and how this relates to the way we behave, as a
way of dealing with emotional problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be thought of as a
combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy emphasizes the
importance of the personal meaning we place on things and how thinking patterns begin in
childhood. Behavioral therapy pays close attention to the relationship between our problems, our
behavior and our thoughts. CBT is based on a model or theory that it’s not events themselves that
upset us, but the meanings we give them. If our thoughts are too negative, it can block us seeing
things or doing things that don’t fit, that disconfirm; what we believe is true. In other words, we
continue to hold on to the same old thoughts and fail to learn anything new (Psych Central, 19952015).
One key tool in CBT which is helpful in understanding and changing this process is the
Cognitive Triangle. The Cognitive triangle is simply a diagram that portrays how our thoughts,
emotions and behaviors are all unified with each other, and influence one another. Therefore,
you can change, or at least influence, one by changing another. It doesn’t matter which one you
start with, for example; you can influence the way you feel about something, by changing
behaviors or by changing your thoughts, whichever one is the easiest or makes the most sense for
you to start with. Two other key concepts in CBT are very helpful in promoting positive change
in people’s lives; the Automatic Negative Thoughts (a term used interchangeably with the
term Cognitive Distortions), and Unproductive Core Beliefs. Automatic Negative Thoughts are
rooted in Unproductive Core Beliefs, and can be very powerful forces in affecting the way we
see ourselves, others and the world, our expectations, our emotions and, of course, our
behaviors. CBT is very helpful in assisting individuals to learn to recognize and change these
distorted ways of thinking. CBT is also very helpful in teaching individuals concrete, effective
strategies and skills for managing strong emotions, and practicing and implementing new
patterns of behavior (Prairie Care, 2015).
CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of mental health concerns,
such as; depression, anxiety disorders (including PTSD, phobias, and Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder), Bipolar Disorder, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. This therapeutic
approach tends to be quite structured and goal-oriented, with the therapist taking a relatively
active, sometimes directive, role. It often involves developing concrete plans and homework
assignments aimed at implementing these plans and practicing skills and strategies outside of
therapy. Psychoeducational handouts and worksheets may be provided, and workbooks may be
used to enhance the therapeutic work throughout the course of treatment (Prairie Care, 2015).
CBT has been shown to be as useful as antidepressant medications for some individuals
with depression and may be superior in preventing relapse of symptoms. Patients receiving CBT
for depression are encouraged to schedule positive activities into their daily calendars in order to
increase the amount of pleasure they experience. In addition, depressed patients learn how to
change negative thought patterns in order to understand their environment in a less negativelybiased way. As regular sleep has been found to be very important in both depression and bipolar
disorder, therapists will also target sleeping patterns to improve and regulate sleep schedules
with their patients. Studies indicate that patients who receive CBT in addition to treatment with
medication have better outcomes than patients who do not receive CBT as an additional
treatment (NAMI, 2015).
The cognitive approach believes that abnormality stems from faulty thoughts about
others; our world and us. This faulty thinking may be through cognitive absences (lack of
planning) or cognitive alterations (processing information inaccurately). These cognitions cause
distortions in the way we see things and how we interact with the world through our mental
representation of it. If our mental pictures are mistaken or our ways of reasoning are inadequate
then our emotions and behavior may become chaotic. The cognitive therapist teaches clients how
to identify inaccurate cognitions through a process of evaluation, to distinguish between their
own thoughts and reality, to learn the influence that cognition has on their feelings, and to
recognize observe and monitor their own thoughts. The idea is that the client identifies their own
unhelpful beliefs and proves them wrong. As a result, their beliefs begin to change (Simply
Psychology, 2015).
References:
1) In-Depth: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by (Psych Central, 1995-2015)
http://psychcentral.com/lib/in-depth-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/000907
2) What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Robyn Huntley, (Prairie Care, 2015)
http://www.prairie-care.com/blog/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-cbt-by-robynhuntley-lmft/
3) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by (Simply Psychology, 2015)
http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-therapy.html
4) Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Eighth Edition textbook and
workbook by Gerald Corey, 2009
5) NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illnesses by (NAMI, 2015)
http://www2.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illn
ess/About_Treatments_and_Supports/Cognitive_Behavioral_Therapy1.htm