Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

We will look into the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. After cognitive therapy was developed in the 1960s, it evolved into cognitive behavioral therapy by combining with behavioral therapy. Subsequently, therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy were developed. If someone is considering receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, it is also a good method to choose and receive treatment from various types of psychological therapies that are suitable for them.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be seen as one of the basic forms of most psychotherapies, developed after cognitive therapy was developed in the 1960s and integrated with behavioral therapy in the 1980s.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was researched and developed in the clinic by Aaron T. Beck and several others, and it is now an indispensable theory in psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy worldwide.

Currently, various types of psychological therapies derived from cognitive behavioral therapy have been developed. No single psychotherapy can be considered the best; finding the psychological therapy that suits you is important.

Below, we will explore the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2. Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

We will look into the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy introduced in this article include cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.

1) Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive Therapy was developed in the 1960s by Aaron T. Beck through a process of scientifically verifying psychoanalytic therapy, where it was discovered that dysfunctional thoughts were commonly held by patients with depression.

Initially, it was recognized that changing distorted dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs had a significant effect on emotional and behavioral change in patients with depression, and it began to be applied to other mental disorders thereafter.

2) Behavioral Therapy

One types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Therapy was developed in the 1920s and 1930s by John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner, and is widely used in education and psychiatric hospitals today.

The concept of reinforcement and punishment forms the basis of behavioral therapy. Concepts such as Conditioning, Systematic Desensitization, and Behavior Modification are important concepts used in behavioral therapy.

The concept of Conditioning is that if an artificial stimulus response is linked to an inherently present stimulus response, the basic stimulus response occurs to the artificial stimulus (Ivan Pavlov’s dog experiment) and that behavior changes can be made through rewards and punishments as a result of the behavior.

Systematic Desensitization is a concept that can reduce anxiety by gradually exposing individuals with anxiety disorders who are afraid of something and teaching relaxation techniques.

Behavior Modification is a technique to decrease unwanted behaviors or increase desired behaviors based on the concept of operant conditioning.

3) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a types of psychological therapy that naturally emerged as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy integrated in the 1980s.

It is now a famous and widely used mental therapy considered the basic form of all psychological therapies, and it is good for the general public to know the basic formula of cognitive behavioral therapy, the Cognitive Model, to understand their psychological framework.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy changes an individual’s distorted thoughts and beliefs and changes behaviors that strengthen their core beliefs (schema, negative beliefs).

Tip) It is highly recommended for individuals with neuroses such as depression, anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, etc.), and obsessive-compulsive disorder to experience cognitive behavioral therapy!

4) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, one of the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, was developed by Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes acceptance, accepting difficult thoughts or emotions that arise as they are.

Mindfulness meditation and focusing on the present moment are similar, but Acceptance and Commitment Therapy allows you to explore behavior changes to live a life that aligns with your values and goals.

If you find it difficult to find your distorted thoughts in cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which values an accepting attitude, may be more helpful.

Tip) Personally, I recommend studying or experiencing cognitive behavioral therapy first and then receiving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy counseling or studying the concept! Cognitive behavioral therapy is good for understanding human thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns based on the cognitive model, but the concept of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may be difficult at first.

5) Dialectical Behavior Therapy

One types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s as a psychological therapy designed to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, like herself.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy significantly handles concepts of Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance.

Such items are a form combined with the concept of Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly addressing vulnerabilities in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Tip) This is a psychological therapy that could be more helpful to individuals who feel emotionally unstable or those with Borderline Personality Disorder!

6) Schema Therapy

Seen as an advanced version among the types of cognitive behavioral therapy, Schema Therapy focuses on transforming unconscious beliefs by examining core beliefs (schemas) more closely, within the framework of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young in the 1980s, it teaches that humans have various perspectives and beliefs about themselves, others, and the world, which are formed from childhood through their temperament.

You can explore many more types of schemas in Schema Therapy than the three main categories of core beliefs (competence, attractiveness, value) discussed in cognitive behavioral therapy, and it is one of the theories that truly allow you to understand yourself.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be seen as the cognitive part of Schema Therapy and can be more helpful to individuals with chronic forms of neurosis or personality disorders.

Tip) Schema Therapy is especially recommended for patients with chronic personality disorders and neuroses. There is research suggesting that patients with treatment-resistant Borderline Personality Disorder can be effectively cured with about three years of Schema Therapy, making it a highly impactful treatment nowadays!

7) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), a type among the types of cognitive behavioral therapy combined with Mindfulness, targets the ability of individuals to recognize and accept their thoughts and emotions, similar to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy handles concepts of Mindfulness, recognition of automatic thought patterns, and Decentering.

Mindfulness involves training to observe thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations without judgment, and Decentering refers to the concept of letting these thoughts and emotions pass without identifying with them.

Tip) Among the types of cognitive behavioral therapy, when receiving psychological therapy to change your thought and emotion patterns, you can fundamentally receive training in Mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness training is strongly recommended as a method for stress relief for the general public!
Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

3. The author’s thoughts?

The author has always wanted to learn theories that teach such human psychological structures since childhood because I thought the thoughts and emotions I felt during childhood were not helpful to me.

Without realizing it, behaviors of lethargy and avoidance made it difficult to study or approach psychological theories, and only now have I come to understand why and how I can solve these issues.

I recommend learning the cognitive model of cognitive behavioral therapy if you want to systematically understand the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and I recommend the schema model for those who want to explore more deeply.

Personally, I believe the cognitive model and schema model are systematic and excellent theoretical frameworks for understanding oneself.

4. Conclusion and Q&A

We have explored the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Let’s look at frequently asked questions and key points related to the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

1) What are the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy include Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Schema Therapy.

2) Among the Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which psychological therapy is strongly recommended?

Since individuals vary, it’s not possible to say which psychological therapy is the best. Psychological therapy can be likened to blind men describing an elephant based on their touch. Each psychological approach provides a perspective based on its interaction with the individual.

3) Which psychological therapy is suitable for Psychosis and Neurosis?

In the case of Psychosis, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and delusional disorders, where the ability to perceive reality may be impaired, drug therapy can be more effective than psychological therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy types can be helpful when the capacity for rational thought and reality perception is intact, and are more suitable for Neurosis.

For those curious about the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy or who want to study Mindfulness meditation, please refer to the link below for more articles!

► Information source and reference materials

[Book] Theory and Practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Chapter 1 Introduction Section – Judith S. Beck / Hana Publishing House
[Book] Learning Cognitive-Behavior Therapy – J. H. Wright, M. R. Basco, M. E. Thase / Hakjisa



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