Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Practice - Term Paper Example

Introduction The ability to change behaviors and cognitive responses is also one which includes specific mechanics. The ability to change from negative to positive thinking can be attributed to developing cognitive processes which build a response in terms of behavior. A way in which this occurs is through the use of cognitive behavior theory, (CBT), specifically which uses psychological methods and treatments to alter the way in which one responds to a given situation. Defining behavioral responses and the way in which individuals create a specific environment then allows specific changes to occur with thinking mechanisms and habits which they believe in. Different mechanisms for changing thought patterns from negative to positive reactions becomes the main component of CBT and the interactions in which individuals have. Cognitive Behavior Theory Cognitive behavior theory, also known as CBT, is based on creating responses that begin with the mind and change into actions or behaviors. The theory states that the mind is responsible for the behaviors and actions in which one takes. The neurological changes which begin in the mind lead to specific reactions and associations with the environment. More important, there is a direct link between emotional behaviors from the mind and how one responds within a given environment. The process of creating a meaning and responding in a specific manner then becomes the basis of this theory. For instance, if one is stressed, anxious or depressed, then it links to the attitudes and behaviors which one has. Changing these specific modes and emotions becomes the basis of cognitive behavior theory (O’Donahue, Fisher, 2008). Cognitive Behavior Theory in Practice There are several which have used the concepts of cognitive behavior theory in practice, specifically to change the emotional and psychological responses of individuals that lead into the current practices. The beginning of the theory was used in the 1950s by Albert Ellis and was followed into practice by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. The main reference which was made by both psychiatrists formulated from the question of how to treat depressed patients, specifically because of distorted perceptions in which individuals had of themselves. When one was fighting with depression, there were also negative ideologies of the individual and interactions with the environment in which one would take. The concept of cognitive behavioral therapy then became a treatment which was able to create the relationship between cognitive processes, emotions and the behaviors and interactions which one associated with. From this basis, other disorders came into effect with the same belief that the perceptions which one had of themselves also changed the behaviors and interactions which one has in relation to their thought processes (Cordioli, Knapp, 2008). The basis and growth of cognitive behavior therapy is one which has been followed with the different formats by those who practice the methods of the theory. The main focus that is used with psychological theories is based on the ideology of building self acceptance and changing the thought processes into a sense of reality, as opposed to the emotional cognition which alters behaviors and thought processes. The different forms of therapy which are known to work most effectively include motivational therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and integrative CBT (Rapgay et al, 2009). The approaches which are conducted with the therapies include a combination of treating different types of thought processes, such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal dysfunctions, worry or meta cognition. The therapy used is able to change the way one thinks and reacts to one of these given dysfunctions while slowly reversing the mindset and awareness of the individual (Rapgay et al, 2009). Changing from Negative to Positive Thinking in CBT The major change which is expected with the different emotional and cognitive thoughts that lead to behaviors is based on the concept of cognitive thinking. The practice of this begins with the understanding that human behavior is based on learning, social and interpersonal behaviors of an individual, as well as the belief system in which is created from one’s association with different circumstances and experiences. One way in which this changes is through social associations that one has, all which alters the way in which they think of themselves and of others. Many of the CBT applications use group therapies for motivation and interpersonal development. In these situations, individuals are able to work on social communication while redefining the thought processes that are related to negative thinking. As the social perception is able to support positive thinking, individuals are able to alter their thought processes and behaviors toward the defined support from a specific group (Curry et al, 2005). Another concept which can be associated with this practice is based on a sense of positive reinforcement to change behavior through cognitive appraisal. The basic model is one which first observes and recognizes the patterns which one associates with at a cognitive level. These patterns are reinforced through emotions, behaviors and events which are recollected to an individual. These three different types of actions create a sense of self perception which an individual has, typically which leads to negative beliefs that one has about themselves. The CBT model is able to alter this by changing the negative patterns into appraisal so one can stop the negative thought processes and alter them into different cognitive processes and habits, as seen in the graph below. Graph 1: CBT process (Wright, 2006) The main association which is created with this model then takes on different forms of appraisal. The main ideology is to create an environment and response system that begins to change the outlook in which one has from the negative to positive thought processes. The chart below shows some of the methods which can be used to alter these thoughts. Chart 2: Cognitive Methods in CBT (Wright, 2006). The concept of changing patterns is one which is based on cognitive thinking, rational processes, discovery of possible reactions and through examinations. Imagery, role play and rehearsal are also important to note, specifically because it can associate with subconscious responses as well as the belief that positive thought processes and reactions are congruent with a given situation. The associated practices that stimulate negative reactions and change the habitual thinking to positive thought processes can further be evaluated with treatment approaches based on the type of emotional and cognitive processes that are a part of the thinking alternatives. Another potential treatment used is known as the exposure and response prevention alternative. The main component is to focus on fears and negative thoughts which an individual may have. As the patterns of fear and negativity are recognized, the psychologist can interfere by exposing the situations into reality. The result is the ability to change the behaviors and to prevent this by creating alternative situations or to show different patterns which can be created through cognitive processes. As the actions are furthered, self-monitoring can be applied, which allows the individual to see how responses to negative thoughts immediately lead to questioning the habitual patterns and eventually changing the response in which one has (Roth, Heimberg, 2002). Another component which has developed from the main cognitive processes is the ABC model, which defines the role of cognition in specific behaviors. The main concept which is associated with the ABC model is based on the ideology that what one thinks, they will do. The three ways in which one thinks are related to inferences, evaluations and core beliefs that lead to cognitive and behavioral responses. To change these, one has to interfere with the thought process and evaluate what the core beliefs are. The therapist can alter these by defining the beliefs and changing these to more positive responses. It is also known that this is associated with seven types of thinking, which lead to the disorders, including seeing things as good or bad, filtering situations, over-generalization, mind reading, fortune telling, emotional reasoning and personalizing a situation. The ABC method takes each of these types of cognitive processes and engages them into thinking in an alternative manner, such as through skill training, role playing and re-training the mind into thinking differently. This method, through the different analysis of thinking and responses, is then able to slowly train a client on how to think differently, which in turn changes the practiced behaviors in the therapy sessions. The result is that more positive behaviors result and dysfunctional behaviors are removed (Froggatt, 2006). Conclusion The concept of cognitive behavior therapy is one which can alter the way one thinks about themselves as well as how they associate with behaviors and reactions. When examining the effects of cognitive thoughts, it can be seen that there are a series of processes which occur, including emotional beliefs, core reasoning and generalization over situations. This is combined with the development of a negative attitude, which eventually leads to several types of dysfunctions, such as depression or anxiety. The interference of therapists with CBT includes understanding concepts such as the ABC model or group therapies. These allow interference over a specific problem to occur while identifying patterns and core beliefs and re-examining and changing them. The therapeutic methods then allow one to change their patterns and thought processes and behaviors. References Curry, John, Karen Wells, David Brent, Gregory Clarke, Paul Rohde, Anne Albano, Mark Reinecke, Nili Benazon, John March. (2005). Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study: Cognitive Behavior Therapy Manual. Duke University. Cordioli, Aristides, Paulo Knapp. (2008). “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Mental Disorders.” Review of Bras Psiguiatrly (30). Froggatt, Wayne. (2006). “A Brief Introduction to Cognitive Behavior Therapy.” Rational Documents. O’Donahue, William, Jane Fisher. (2008). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Applying Empirically Supported Techniques into Practice. New York: Wiley and Sons. Rapgay, Lobsang, Alexander Bystritsky, Roger Dafter, Michelle Spearman. (2009). “New Strategies for Combining Mindfulness with Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” Journal of Rational, Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. 10 (9). Roth, Deborah, Richard Heimberg. (2002). ‘Cognitive Behavior Therapy.” Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy (1). Wright, Jesse. (2006). “Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basic Principles and Recent Advances.” Focus (4), 173 -178. O’Donahue, William, Jane Fisher. (2008). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Applying Empirically Supported Techniques into Practice. New York: Wiley and Sons. http://books.google.com/books?id=s3GjKDPgf-kC&pg=PT1127&lpg=PT1127&dq=Cognitive+Behavior+Therapy:+Applying+Empirically+Supported+Techniques+into+Practice&source=bl&ots=heJne5Wq9t&sig=Sgs4BkGO2Jn8urP9dLAToS5FqFA&hl=en&ei=KiL2TKHmNYbZrQfGk7nnBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false (print chapter on how to implement stimulus control). Roth, Deborah, Richard Heimberg. (2002). ‘Cognitive Behavior Therapy.” Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy (1). http://books.google.com/books?id=xz6Lxz6ur3cC&pg=PA236&lpg=PA236&dq=Roth,+Deborah,+Richard+Heimberg.++%282002%29.++%E2%80%98Cognitive+Behavior+Therapy&source=bl&ots=WSRpxupRjJ&sig=Bs4ojO4UmGByuDJPxiP0bOwbKhg&hl=en&ei=sB_2TJKlBcvnrAe-9-WXBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false (print pages 104-130). Read More