How many of the following can you describe? CBT, DBT, BT, CT, RET, E/RP, ACT, EMDR, MBSR.
The world of cognitive behavioral therapy can, at times, seem like alphabet soup. As behavioral therapy has evolved from B.F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov, branches to the cbt tree have been added. There are distinct differences to the branches however the roots of the tree remain the same. The root of all cognitive behavioral therapies is a focus on the cognitions and behaviors associated with psychological distress and an obsession with empirically validating that new innovations are effective. All cbt therapies are structured, collaborative, focused on current problems and focused on developing practical skills.
Different branches of the tree emphasize behaviors (E/RP, BT), cognitions (CT), emotion regulation (DBT), tolerance of emotional distress (ACT), or non-judgmental observation of experience (MBSR). Experienced cbt clinicians will combine all available effective interventions into an individualized program of treatment. Based on diagnosis and case conceptualization a determination is made about the course of treatment that is most likely to work. For example, research data, unequivocally demonstrates that a patient with panic disorder is most likely to benefit from learning anxiety management strategies (CT, CBT, MBSR) and learning to tolerate increased levels of physical and emotional distress (ACT). The research also shows that exposure therapy via panic induction (E/RP) will lead to the most significant improvement and the lowest rates of relapse. Multiple branches of the cbt family tree are brought to bear in the treatment of panic disorder. Although psychotherapy research over the last 25 years has focused on singular treatments for different disorders experienced clinicians will draw from the arsenal of available effective interventions in order to provide relief for their patients.