MHM Magazine

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is an evidence-based, shorter- term psychotherapy that address mental health challenges such as: depression; bipolar disorder; anxiety disorders; OCD; PTSD; substance abuse; eating disorders; personality disorders; schizophrenia; psychosis; insomnia; marital problems and some health problems (such as IBS, CFS, fibromyalgia and chronic pain). There is a strong evidence-base of CBT producing change and improving functioning and quality of life in the lives of youth, adults, families and within communities, schools, and work environments. CBT concerns itself with our thoughts, images, and the way we process information (cognition), how we act (behaviour), our physical reactions (physical sensations) and how we feel (emotion). CBT also considers a patient’s history, biological and genetic factors and their current community and environment. A collaborative relationship characterised by effective listening skills, empathy and compassion is at the heart of CBT. CBT is an umbrella under which a family of psychotherapies that all focus on helping people appraise the way they think, feel and act is grouped. This may lead to addressing thoughts and feelings that are unhelpful and distressing, building new skill sets to tackle difficult personal and interpersonal situations and promote well-being. CBT is not, as is the case with all treatment approaches, an approach that works for all people and for all of life’s concerns. It is however, a powerful psychological intervention that can increase someone’s capacity to survive and thrive even in adverse settings. Myths about CBT In CBT only targets symptom relief in a mechanical manner - Whilst CBT includes a diverse range of interventions to help people make lasting changes, the relationship and therapeutic alliance is central and a collaborative, warm and supportive relationship is central to CBT. CBT is treatment protocol driven – Whilst protocols for treatment, like in the medical field, provides guidance on what approaches can work best, the conceptualisation of the problem and treatment goals are defined collaboratively. The patient is central to this process, and the patient’s own commitment to change is central to successful treatment. BENEFITS OF AND EVIDENCE FOR CBT EDITORIAL Dr Jaco Rossouw Centre for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Jaco Rossouw Centre for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University Internationally certified supervisor in RECBT and Associate Fellow of the Albert Ellis Institute, NYC Shane Pienaar-Du Bruyn Clinical Psychologist Internationally Accredited CBT Trainer & Consultant (Academy of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, USA) Director of CBTASA Different CBT approaches are also referred to as belonging to the first, second or third wave (Hayes, 2004). The first wave is from the behavioural tradition and includes the work of Pavlov, Watson, Rayner, Jones, Wolpe, Skinner, the later contribution of Eysenck and Martin (1987) and more recently Spiegler (2015). The second wave is from the cognitive tradition and includes the work of AT Beck, J Beck, DM Clark, KS Dobson, R Leahy, C Padesky, J Persons, P Salkovskis (Cognitive Therapy/Traditional CBT) and Ellis (RECBT). The second wave applies behavioural and cognitive interventions and may integrate strategies from the third wave. The third wave pays attention to contextual, experiential, and functional strategies of change. The emphasis is also on promoting psychological processes that promote well-being. The third wave include Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Segal, Williams, Teasdale), Unified Protocol (Barlow), Compassion Focused Therapy (Gilbert), Schema Therapy (Young), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (Linehan), CBASP (McCullough) and Metacognitive Therapy (Wells). Issue 3 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 1 MHM