Cognitive Therapy Flashcards
What therapy is used within the cognitive approach?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
What is the first component of CBT?
Dysfunctional thought diary
How is a dysfunctional thought diary used at home?
Clients must keep a record of their dysfunctional thoughts and events that lead to a negative emotional response
How is a dysfunctional thought diary used in therapy sessions?
They must review the thoughts recorded and rate how much they believe these thoughts to be true
After, clients must write a rational response and rate their belief of this
The client will re-rate their original thought
What is the second component of CBT?
Cognitive restructuring
What is cognitive restructuring
Identifying and changing the clients negative thought processes known as ‘therapy in therapy’
Describe the process of cognitive restructuring?
Highlight false belief
Avoid catastrophising automatic negative thought
Results in rational response
What is the third component of CBT?
Pleasant activity scheduling
Describe the process of pleasant activity scheduling?
Clients plan a pleasant activity for themselves over a period of time
The activity should make them feel positive
The client then keeps a record of these activities and how they make them feel
What are some examples of activities used in of pleasant activity scheduling?
Walking
Reading
Shopping
Apply the assumption internal mental processes to CBT.
Assumption believes mental disorders are caused by maladaptive thoughts
CBT targets internal mental processes through cognitive restructuring and use evidence to show thoughts are irrational
Apply the assumption schemas to CBT.
Schemas lead to developed negative thoughts about ones self, the world etc.
CBT challenges negative pre-existing thoughts (schemas)
Apply the assumption computer analogy to CBT.
Computer analogy - humas store information like a computer and CBT aims to challenge irrational thoughts
What is the research support to show the effectiveness of CBT?
Cahill et al (2003) - 71% of patients who completed CBT experienced noticed a significant reduction in symptoms
How can therapist competence be used to argue the ineffectiveness of CBT?
CBT heavily relies on the therapists skills to structure sessions, set effective homework tasks and relaxation techniques and if a therapist is incapable of these, the therapy will not be as effective for the patient
How can individual differences be used to argue the ineffectiveness of CBT?
CBT may be suited to some patients more than others therefore some may not experience the benefits and it is not effective for all
How can empowerment be used to argue the effectiveness of CBT?
CBT encourages the patient to feel empowered and independent within the therapy whilst having full autonomy of their progress and sessions therefore improves effectiveness
How can patient blame be used to argue that CBT is unethical?
Giving some patients full responsibility for their progress and sessions within the therapy may place a lot of pressure on them and lead them to a worsened condition and believe they are to blame for their disorder
How can equal access to therapy be used to argue that CBT is unethical?
1 in 10 people are not offered psychological therapies and support after being assessed for disorders which may put people off wanting to seek help
