Cognitive Behavior Associates specializes in a type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT is a group of treatments based on scientific, empirical data shown to be effective for a broad range of psychological disorders (see Common Disorders). CBT is a time-limited psychotherapy, meaning that an individual has appointments over the course of 3-6 months, with follow-up sessions as needed. This treatment is goal-oriented, where the therapist and the client work together to develop goals and working step-by-step towards achieving those goals. Clients actively participate in treatment both within and between sessions, e.g. clients are given task assignments to complete between sessions.  Because each individual is different, each treatment is individualized to the specific patient problem. In each case we make use of various CBT treatments shown in controlled clinical trials to provide long-lasting results.  

CBT has two main components: Cognitive Therapy and Behavior Therapy.

Cognitive Therapy refers to an approach pioneered by a group of therapists in the 1970s, including psychologist Donald Meichenbaum (Cognitive Behavior Modification), Albert Ellis (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) and psychiatrist Aaron Beck (Cognitive Therapy).  Dr. Beck discovered that many of his clients' problems were supported by recurring thoughts, usually of a self-critical or pessimistic nature (e.g., "I'm no good." or "I can't handle things"). Because thoughts can influence feelings and behaviors, Dr. Beck realized that isolating negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive thoughts is useful in the client's understanding of his/her disorder. Cognitive therapists not only make clients aware of these thought patterns, but get them to explore new ways of thinking about themselves, their lives, and their actions and see what positive effects this may have.

 In cognitive therapy, clients learn how to recognize automatic negative thoughts and realize how they effect emotions. Clients learn how to analyze these thoughts in terms of helpfulness  and learn to replace them with more productive thoughts.

In recent years, cognitive therapists have also made use of mindfulness and acceptance based approaches that borrow from eastern psychologies regarding "thoughts" and meditation practices.  These new approaches involve teaching clients a completely different relationship to thinking in general. By developing mindfulness techniques, clients then learn to notice and interrupt negative thoughts on their own and live more in the "present moment".  Vipassana Meditation practices are taught to enhance this skill.  Clients are taught that "thinking" is just one of many ways of "knowing".

--Click here to see Dr. McFarr, a board and faculty member of the CBTI, discuss mindfulness practices in CBT

Second, Behavior Therapy is a type of approach to psychotherapy that focuses on isolating the specific behavior the client wants to change by trying to understand how the problematic behavior developed in the first place. Once the client learns how the unwanted behavior developed, they can then develop specific skills and techniques to control or even eliminate undesired behaviors. Behavior therapists work in collaboration with the client to set personal goals and help the client attain them, using empirical measures.  

While many of the specific techniques used to bring about these changes were developed originally by behavior therapists (e.g. deep muscle relaxation and assertiveness training), we also make use of strategies adapted from hypnotherapy, systems therapy, and traditional psychotherapy.In recent years, "exposure" based treatments have taken an important place in the treatment of a number of anxiety disorders.

--Click here to see Dr. Becker discuss the history of CBT

Academy of Cognitive Therapy
www.academyofct.org

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
www.abct.org

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
www.adaa.org

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
www.ocfoundation.org