![]() There are several elements that make up the theoretical foundation of Cognitive Therapy.Īutomatic thoughts are fast, reactive assumptions and conclusions that are made by the individual in response to internal and external events. Importantly, while some psychotherapeutic techniques are less concerned with empirical methods and content to take a more fluid humanistic or psychoanalytical approach, Cognitive Therapy assumes an empirical framework that is concerned only with cognitive phenomena that can be observed (indirectly) using scientific techniques, such as beliefs that manifest transparently as automatic thought processes. However, while Cognitive Therapy refers to a specific technique, psychotherapy is a very general term referring to a variety of methods encompassing both CBT and Cognitive Therapy. Similarly, psychotherapy and Cognitive Therapy may seem to have similar connotations, as ‘psyche’ (as the root of psychotherapy) and ‘cognition’ are largely synonymous. Cognitive Therapy is a specific technique in which the goal is to change thoughts for the sake of changing thoughts. In short, CBT refers to a variety of techniques in which the goal is to change behavior in order to change thoughts, and vice versa. CBT refers to any technique that focuses on achieving behavioral change through changing dysfunctional thought processes and using the relationship between thoughts and behaviors as a therapeutic tool.ĬBT techniques may be more or less focused on either the cognitive or behavioral elements, depending on the specific theoretical assumptions of the technique and nature of the client. In contrast, CBT is a broad range of techniques that encompass Cognitive Therapy. While Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are very similar and largely share the same core theory, they should not be considered synonymous or used interchangeably.Ĭognitive Therapy is a therapeutic technique that focuses on identifying and mending negative beliefs and automatic assumptions that are contributing to a poor (or clinically unwell) state of mental health. Cognitive Therapy vs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy As the therapeutic targets and outcomes involved in this process are cognitive in nature, he called this technique “Cognitive Therapy” (Beck, 2019 Beck & Fleming, 2021). Once this cognitive source of negative and distorted beliefs had been found, it could be challenged and corrected, ending the self-maintaining depressive cycle driven by automatic assumptions linked to the beliefs. ![]() Importantly, Beck realized these beliefs could be identified and ‘captured’ directly by examining the patient’s automatic responses and tracing them back to their source. These beliefs caused patients to automatically make negative assumptions about their internal and external lives, which precipitated and maintained their depression. He found that data from discourse with patients and descriptions of their dreams suggested that their depression was associated with deep-rooted beliefs regarding failure and defeat. ![]() Aaron Beck developed the foundational theory of Cognitive Therapy while testing the assumptions of Freudian psychoanalysis on patients with clinical depression.
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