Cognitive Behaviour Therapy- Basic principles with a Practical viewpoint

 

CBT is opted by many Psychologists and Life coaches for empowering the clients in simple issues or in complex issues involving Trauma or Anxiety.

Whether someone is starting to practice CBT or the one who is already well versed in CBT, it is always good to brush up the basics. Principles of CBT is very important because the principles are the foundation for conducting any Therapy session using CBT.

Now, let us see the basic principles in a Practical way.

01. Case Conceptualization or Cognitive Conceptualization is very important in CBT. 

The client’s present thinking patterns and problematic behaviors are to be discussed and analyzed collaboratively. Every aspect, whether it is small or tiny must be considered including the client’s  life experiences, throughout childhood, and even through the therapy sessions to form the Case conceptualization.

The Cognitive conceptualization of the client is formulated based on the information gathered to provide an accurate picture of the client’s whole situation. This cognitive conceptualization is refined in each session as more and more information becomes available.

2. CBT requires an Effective, Measurable, Tangible collaborative therapeutic alliance.

It is important to have a mutually trusting relationship between the therapist and client. The therapist should be able to provide Emotional care, empathy, and Intellectual competence.

3. CBT emphasizes collaboration and active participation

collaborative decision making is encouraged and followed throughout all the sessions and decisions of what to work on and how to work are decided together. Active participation from the client is important for making a lasting impact in Behaviour change and cognitive growth.

4. CBT is SMART goal-oriented and problem-focused

The Client and Therapist should set specific goals during the initial sessions collaboratively. Goals are necessary to evaluate and respond to thoughts that interfere with those goals. This helps the client easily identify and interrupt those thoughts. SMART (Specific,Measurable, Achievable,Realistic and Time-bound) Goals are to be worked out with mutual consent.

5. CBT initially concentrates in the present.

The first session  should be focused on current problems and specific situations that are distressing to client.

In the subsequent sessions, CBT model is completely applied wherein the therapist and client discuss and analyse the past.

6. CBT is educative to empower the clients and it aims to train the clients to be their own therapist,

Training the clients to understand the the basics of CBT and the further process, how their thoughts influence emotions and behavior, how to identify and evaluate their thoughts and beliefs, and plan for cognitive changes is an essential part of CBT. The therapist should be the best trainer. During the initial phase of Psycho education, the therapist gets opportunity to create intellectual rapport with the client. Only proper education of CBT to client will empower the client and empower the client. Long lasting cognitive and behavioral change in client is possible only through CBT psycho education.

7. CBT aims to be time-limited

Simple relationship issues, Phobia , anxiety and depression can typically be treated within 6 to 14 sessions depending on the intensity of the throught & emotions . However, for those with more severe intensity and rigid beliefs, the time frame may vary. Flexibility is the key in CBT when it comes to various elements which has to be psycho educated to the clients.

8. CBT sessions are highly structured

Structured treatment helps to produce tangible results, efficiency and effectiveness. This process includes:

Introduction: doing a mood check,
a brief review of the week, collaboratively setting an agenda for the session

Middle: reviewing homework, discussing problems on the agenda, setting new homework, and summarizing

Final: eliciting feedback

THIS WE WILL SEE INDEPTH ON THE COMING WEEKS.

9. CBT teaches clients to identify, evaluate, and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs

Therapists help clients to identify key cognitions and adopt more realistic, rational perspectives of themselves, the world and about the people.

This is achieved through the process of guided discovery by questioning their thoughts to evaluate their thinking. Also, the therapist creates behavioral experiments for the client to directly test their cognition.

10. CBT uses a variety of techniques to change thinking, mood, and behavior

11. Home work is the main aspect of CBT. The therapist has to psycho educate about the various records with examples. When explaining the examples, the therapist has to choose appropriate model so that the client does not feel irritated. 

Many Cognitive and Behavioral techniques are used in combination in the treatment.  The treatment is planned based on case conceptualization.

11. Transparency and Confidentiality.

Like all other therapy styles, CBT stresses the need for Transparency and confidentiality of the sessions.

When we incorporate these aspects in the CBT counseling, the client is empowered to meet the present and future effectively.

Please post your comments  and further aspects below.