Cognitive – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Aims to identify and alter negative beliefs and expectations (cognitive) and alter dysfunctional behaviours (behavioural). Sessions last around 50 minutes and the patient attends a minimum of 6 sessions, at the end a review takes place. Each session involves a set agenda. The client initially talks about themselves so the therapist understands their frame of reference – so they can understand where the clients negative thinking comes from. The downward arrow technique is used where the therapist asks further questions to uncover what the client means and explore their beliefs. Therapists help identify the cognitive biases the individual has and work with the individual to break the cycle of these negative thoughts. They can help the individual identify pleasurable activities and suggest how they can overcome obstacles preventing them from doing them (behaviour activation). Graded homework assignments can be set allowing them to engage and be rewarded. Clients can records their own thoughts and feelings and then be challenged about these thoughts.
Evaluation
Kuyken (2008) found CBT was just as effective at treating depression as medication. CBT also had lower relapse rates (47% compared to 60%), was more cost effective and lead to a change in quality of life. CBT also lead to skills for life.
Government funding has been introduced which recognises the importance of CBT as improving mental health
Patient has control and is involved in their treatment, can be considered ethical in comparison to ECT
Stiles (2006) compared CBT to person centred and psychodynamic therapies and found no difference in improvements between the therapies – this suggests CBT is no more effective than any other talking therapy
CBT data is often self report, making it unreliable
Time consuming and requires motivation, something which the depressed
Aims to identify and alter negative beliefs and expectations (cognitive) and alter dysfunctional behaviours (behavioural). Sessions last around 50 minutes and the patient attends a minimum of 6 sessions, at the end a review takes place. Each session involves a set agenda. The client initially talks about themselves so the therapist understands their frame of reference – so they can understand where the clients negative thinking comes from. The downward arrow technique is used where the therapist asks further questions to uncover what the client means and explore their beliefs. Therapists help identify the cognitive biases the individual has and work with the individual to break the cycle of these negative thoughts. They can help the individual identify pleasurable activities and suggest how they can overcome obstacles preventing them from doing them (behaviour activation). Graded homework assignments can be set allowing them to engage and be rewarded. Clients can records their own thoughts and feelings and then be challenged about these thoughts.
Evaluation
Kuyken (2008) found CBT was just as effective at treating depression as medication. CBT also had lower relapse rates (47% compared to 60%), was more cost effective and lead to a change in quality of life. CBT also lead to skills for life.
Government funding has been introduced which recognises the importance of CBT as improving mental health
Patient has control and is involved in their treatment, can be considered ethical in comparison to ECT
Stiles (2006) compared CBT to person centred and psychodynamic therapies and found no difference in improvements between the therapies – this suggests CBT is no more effective than any other talking therapy
CBT data is often self report, making it unreliable
Time consuming and requires motivation, something which the depressed