Characteristics of Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy that is effective for a wide variety of problems in a person’s life like depression, addictive behaviors, anxiety, relationship problems, bad eating, OCD, and bipolar disorder. CBC works by changing people’s thoughts and beliefs (Cognitive) and their dealings (behavior).
CBT includes a variety of approaches that include Rational Living Therapy (RLT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Therapy (CT), Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Behavioral Activation (BA), Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), and Integrative Couple Therapy (ICT).
Despite this diversity, most Cognitive Behavior Therapies have the following characteristics:
1. CBT is base on this idea that cognition cause of emotional and behavioral responses.
Person’s way of thinking creates their feelings and behaviors, not outside things like events, situations and people. Therefor, if we can change our thoughts, consequently our feelings and behaviors will change.
2. CBT is Time-Limited.
A course may be from six to 20 sessions. It will depend on several factors like the type of problem, the features of client, therapist’s experience, and etc. but, in my opinion the client’s change thinking habits is the most important factor to end CBT sessions.
3. To learn coping skills
CBT has more skills for solving our problem. People don’t learn a skill just by reading and listening, learning and be master any skill requires hard practice. To learn good thinking and appropriate dealing with problems is like to learn swimming skill and surfing, when person learns them not only doesn’t fear of ocean and waves but enjoys them.
4. CBT is collaborative, structured, and goal-oriented.
CBT is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client or group members. The role of therapist is listen, observe, teach, and motivate, and client’s role is to talk about her or his problems, learn, and practice. Sessions have a structure and every session has specific agenda. Therapist helps the client for achieving selected goals.
5. Doing homework in CBT.
Homework is recognized as a vital part in CBT. Learning CBT skills takes a long time. Homework is planned according to the type of problem and the client’s futures.
6. Individually or group session
CBT can be done a one-to-one therapy or with a group of people. Advantages of group cognitive behavior therapy can be include access to Social support, Increased Cost effectiveness, and increased motivation.