Procedure

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • See Also
  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression
  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
  • Definition
  1. Time-limited, patient goal-oriented psychotherapy
  2. Replaces problematic thinking and behaviors with more adaptive patterns
  3. Challenges maladaptive beliefs, plans pleasurable activities, and extends exposure to unpleasant situations
  4. Monitors progress via symptom measures
  • Indications
  1. Conditions for which CBT is as effective or more effective than medications
    1. Anxiety Disorder
    2. Major Depression
    3. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    4. Insomnia
  2. Other conditions for which CBT is an effective adjunct
    1. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    2. Autism
    3. Tic Disorders
    4. Personality Disorders
    5. Eating Disorders
  • Technique
  1. Time limited schedule
    1. One session per week (60-90 minutes each)
    2. Total course: 8 to 12 weeks
  2. Monitoring of progress
    1. Collect symptom measures frequently
  3. Goal-oriented treatment
    1. Patient directs goals and actively participates in their treatment
    2. Focus on changing maladaptive thoughts or behaviors
    3. Patient has weekly homework assignments
  4. Therapy Strategies
    1. Identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
    2. Schedule pleasant activities
    3. Extended exposure to unpleasant thoughts and situations to decrease avoidance and arousal
  • References
  1. Coffey (2015) Am Fam Physician 92(9):807-12 [PubMed]