A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Sushil Kandel PhD
2 min readApr 20, 2024

--

Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The branch of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) includes a number of specific techniques designed to treat various psychological conditions and problems. Among the principal varieties of CBT are:

Cognitive Therapy (CT):

The aim of cognitive therapy (CT) is to recognize and address the cognitive distortions and negative thought patterns that underlie maladaptive behaviors and emotional suffering. The goal of CT is to swap out unrealistic beliefs with more practical and adaptive ways of thinking.

Behavioral therapy:

Behavioral therapy: Focuses on changing particular habits using methods includig behavioral activation, exposure treatment, and skills development. Through behavioral shaping and positive reinforcement, behavioral therapy addresses problematic behaviors and strengthens adaptive behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This approach combines mindfulness exercises with cognitive and behavioral strategies to help people learn how to regulate their emotions, tolerate discomfort, and interact with others in a productive way. Chronic suicidality and borderline personality disorder are two disorders that are frequently treated with DBT.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

The primary objective of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is to help people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to values-driven action. This approach helps people become more psychologically flexible. To improve general well-being, ACT combines behavioral modification techniques, acceptance, and mindfulness.

Schema Therapy:

Schema therapy focuses on longstanding, dysfunctional thought, emotion, and behavior patterns called schemas. To address ingrained emotional problems and relational patterns, schema therapy incorporates components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with methods from psychodynamic and experiential treatments.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT):

Like traditional cognitive therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) focuses on recognizing and challenging irrational ideas that cause emotional pain. REBT enables people to think more logically and constructively by highlighting the part that irrational beliefs play in psychological issues.

These are but a handful of the several specific types of CBT that are offered. Every method has its own distinct methods and approaches designed to deal with particular psychological problems and illnesses. Various considerations, including the patient’s goals, the therapist’s experience, and the issues the patient brings to the session, influence the sort of CBT that is used.

--

--

Sushil Kandel PhD

As a devoted psychologist, I am fueled by an unwavering passion for unraveling the intricacies of the human experience.