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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)? What processes led to the emergence of such a therapy? Where does it rank among modern psychotherapeutic techniques?
Freud’s theory
At the end of the 19th century, Freud presented to the public his view of the human psyche, its components, the reasons for the formation of psychopathology and the principles of its treatment – psychoanalysis. Freud made the main emphasis in his theory on the study of unconscious mental processes, representing them as the main source of both psychopathology and daily behavioral acts.
Behavioral theory and behavioral psychotherapy
At the same end of the 19th century, a behavioral theory began to develop – behaviorism, which originated with Pavlov and Bekhterev and appeared as a theory that took shape in the works of Skiner and Bandura by the middle of the 20th century. Skinner preferred to explain the human psyche, personality, behavior and psychopathology in behavioral terms, arguing that one should operate only with those concepts that can be empirically measured. Behaviorists have argued that only stimulus and behavior are objectively measurable concepts. At the same time, it was argued that the human brain is a “black box” – a kind of black hole in which objectively not measurable and unknowable processes take place. Therefore, behaviorists in their work turned only to stimulus and behavior.
New data on the brain and cognitive behavioral therapy
In the 1960-1970s, new data are emerging about the brain and cognitive processes. Computer science is developing (knowledge about the brain and cognitive processes is put into the basis of compiling computer programs, in turn, the brain and cognition are explained by analogy with a computer) and now it becomes impossible to treat the brain as a black hole.
As a result, the work of Piaget and his students describing cognitive processes takes an increasing place in the work of the psychologist. Vygotsky’s works are actively translated into other languages and hold a firm place in Western academic psychology. In psychotherapy, Aron Beck develops cognitive theory, and Albert Ellis develops rational-emotive theory, later integrated into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The main emphasis in these theories is on cognitive processes that largely determine the human psyche, personality, behavior and psychopathology.
Cognitive behavioral therapy at the tip of a knife
CBT explains psychopathological processes by the influence of parasitic thoughts on human behavior. Parasitic thoughts are thoughts that negatively affect human self-esteem, the perception of the external and internal world. Such thoughts have different colors: mind-reading (“I know what others think of me”), self-flagellation (“I am to blame for everything”), negative perception of reality (“everything is bad, it will always be this way, I will never get out of this pit”).
Parasitic thoughts negatively affect a person’s feelings and interpretation, perceived by human senses, sensations (“I was deliberately pushed, the whole world is against me and I feel extremely bad”). Such a chain is closed by the appropriate behavior (“If I feel so bad and everyone is against me, then I have no reason to live, I do not want to go outside”). Accordingly, both our actions and our feelings influence our way of thinking.
CBT treatment
There are many approaches and techniques stemming from the theoretical development of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A behavioural therapist will suggest identifying parasitic thoughts and reorienting them using the so-called Socratic questions: “who said everything is bad? where did you get the idea that it will be like this forever?” etc. Numerous other cognitive techniques can be used to reverse negative thought patterns. But changing your mindset alone is not enough to relieve distress or build relationships. A certain cognitive-behavioral therapy is required (auto-training, meditation techniques, communication trainings, etc.), the use of which leads the patient both to a change in negative thinking to a more optimistic one and to the development of more adaptive patterns of behavior.
Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy
According to current research in psychotherapy by both the WHO (World Health Organization) and the US Department of Health, cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for most mental disorders. This method of psychotherapy can successfully treat anxiety disorders, addictions, obsessions, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, sexual disorders, etc. It also produces excellent results in areas such as treating neuroses, depression and panic attacks. Rarely a psychologist or psychiatrist denies the effectiveness of this method.
In Canadian psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common treatment technique with good results in a relatively short time. For example, people can contact Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, a public hospital providing a wide range of specialized assessment and treatment services, including CBT.
