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CBT and ACT

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is a widely practiced and evidence-based approach that aims to help individuals identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.

The underlying principle of CBT is that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are all connected and influence each other. According to CBT, how we interpret situations and events in our lives can affect how we feel and behave. Therefore, if we can identify and modify negative or distorted thinking patterns, we can change our emotional and behavioural responses in a more positive and adaptive way.

CBT is typically a structured and purposeful therapy that involves collaboration between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment. The therapist helps the person identify specific problems or goals they want to work on and then guides them through the process of understanding and challenging their negative thoughts and beliefs.

CBT is typically delivered in a structured and time-limited format, usually consisting of a set number of sessions. However, the exact number of sessions can vary depending on the individual’s needs and the complexity of the problems being addressed.

What is the CBT therapy process?

The therapy often begins with an assessment phase, where the therapist and client work together to gain a thorough understanding of the person’s difficulties, their thoughts and beliefs, and their behavioural patterns. This assessment helps to identify the underlying cognitive distortions or unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to emotional distress or problematic behaviours.

Once patterns are identified, the therapist and client work together to develop strategies and techniques to challenge and modify them. This may involve examining the evidence for and against the negative thoughts, considering alternative explanations or perspectives, and developing more balanced and realistic thinking patterns.

CBT also emphasises the importance of behavioural change. The therapist helps the individual identify specific behaviours that contribute to their difficulties and collaboratively develops strategies to change those behaviours. This may involve practicing new skills, gradually facing feared situations, or implementing behaviour change techniques.

Throughout the therapy process, CBT also emphasises the role of homework assignments, where the individual practices and applies the skills and techniques learned in therapy to real-life situations. This helps to reinforce learning and promote lasting change.

How does CBT work?

CBT has been extensively researched and has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders, among others. CBT provides individuals with practical tools and strategies to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, leading to improved emotional well-being and functioning.

Are CBT And ACT the same thing?

No, CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are not the same thing. While they are both forms of psychotherapy and share similarities, they have distinct theoretical frameworks and treatment approaches.

CBT is based on the cognitive model and focuses on identifying and modifying negative or distorted thoughts and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress. Using the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours it aims to help individuals develop more balanced and realistic thinking patterns. CBT typically involves techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, and homework assignments.

On the other hand, ACT is based on the contextual behavioural science model and emphasises acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action. It views psychological suffering as a normal part of being human and seeks to help individuals accept their experiences, including difficult thoughts and emotions, without judgment or attempts to control or avoid them. ACT aims to enhance psychological flexibility and promote committed action aligned with one’s values.

While CBT and ACT share common elements including mindfulness and the recognition of the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, they differ in their underlying philosophical orientations and treatment strategies. CBT primarily focuses on challenging and changing thoughts and behaviours, while ACT focuses on acceptance and developing psychological flexibility.

What are the key differences between CBT and ACT therapy?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are both evidence-based approaches to psychotherapy, but they have key differences in their theoretical foundations and treatment strategies:

  • Theoretical orientation: CBT is rooted in the cognitive model, which suggests that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are interconnected and influence each other. It focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to improve mental health. On the other hand, ACT is based on the contextual behavioural science model and emphasises acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action. ACT views psychological suffering as a normal part of being human and aims to help individuals accept their experiences and commit to living a meaningful life.
  • Approach to thoughts and feelings: In CBT, the emphasis is on challenging and modifying negative or distorted thoughts to alleviate emotional distress. The goal is to replace unhelpful thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones. In contrast, ACT takes a different approach. It champions the acceptance of thoughts and feelings without judgement, and instead of trying to change or control them, ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility and the ability to be present in the moment.
  • Role of mindfulness: Mindfulness is a central component of both CBT and ACT, but they approach it differently. In CBT, and approaches such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) mindfulness is often used as a tool to increase awareness of thoughts and emotions to challenge and change them. In ACT, mindfulness is a route to gain present-moment awareness and acceptance of experiences, including difficult thoughts and emotions, without trying to change or avoid them.
  • Treatment goals: In CBT, the primary goal is typically symptom reduction and the alleviation of distress. The focus is on resolving specific problems and achieving measurable changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. In ACT, the goal is to enhance psychological flexibility and promote values-based action. It aims to help individuals live a rich, meaningful life even in the presence of their distressing thoughts and feelings.
  • Therapeutic techniques: CBT and ACT employ different techniques. CBT uses cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, and homework assignments to challenge and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. ACT uses techniques such as mindfulness exercises, acceptance strategies, cognitive defusion, and values clarification exercises to facilitate acceptance, increase psychological flexibility, and promote committed action.

It’s important to understand that CBT and ACT are not mutually exclusive, and therapists may integrate elements of both approaches based on the individual’s needs and the nature of the presenting problems. The choice between CBT and ACT depends on various factors, including individual’s preferences, treatment goals, and therapist’s expertise.

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