Behaviour therapy is an effective but not sufficient factor in CBT - Essay Example

Some instances of such models can be cited as theories of normal and abnormal development, and theories of emotion and psychopathology. In fact Fenton (2007) gives out a very understandable description of the entire concept of CBT by breaking it into member components of cognitive and behavioural therapies as follows," Quite simply, cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a combination of two kinds of therapy: cognitive and behavioral. In behavioral therapy, people learn how to change behavior.

You may have already heard of the most common behavioral techniques used in the treatment of anxiety disorders: desensitization, relaxation and breathing exercises. Cognitive therapy focuses on thoughts, assumptions and beliefs. With cognitive therapy, people may learn to recognize and change faulty or maladaptive thinking patterns. Cognitive therapy is not about "positive thinking" in the sense that you must always think happy thoughts. It's a way to gain control over racing, repetitive thoughts which often feed or trigger anxiety.

The two therapies often are used together because they are beneficial to each other. For example, in the midst of extreme anxiety, it may feel impossible to gain control over your thoughts and apply cognitive therapy techniques. Therefore, a behavioral technique such as deep breathing may help you calm down and focus on your thinking". It is the latter argument of Fenton which is the focus of this paper. This paper essentially looks into exploring the argument that behaviour therapy is an effective approach with in the CBT but it is not the only and sufficient approach.

The paper looks into the concepts of cognitive and behaviour therapies in depth and the possible and more effective applications of the CBT,when the two are combined. The paper also discusses some other approaches which are finding application under the umbrella of the CBT. Cognitive Concepts and Therapy The initial questions that arise in cognitive approach are conceptual. They relate to what are the various levels of cognition that is accorded importance in literature. In the 1960's, Aaron Beck, developed his approach called Cognitive Therapy.

Beck's cognitive therapy was particularly found very useful in the effective treatment of depression and related symptoms. Beck and his associates reckon three identifiable levels of cognition that are pertinent as treatment milestones as cognitive approaches are applied to within the overall approach of f CBT.These three levels of cognition are : full consciousness, automatic thoughts, and schemas (Clark et al,1999). Within these three levels the highest level is consciousness and it is defined to include the mental state in which rational decisions are made with full awareness of the decision maker.

Decision maker is rationally opting to choose the way he finally did and he has rational arguments to justify his acts.