Integrating cognitive behavioural therapy into counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has a multidimensional nature which means that it can be easily integrated into other theoretical modes of counselling, for example person-centered therapy and gestalt therapy.
The theory behind CBT
CBT invites you to become intimate with your thinking, so that you can begin to choose and practice alternatives. Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on the concept that “you feel the way you think,” it aims to understand and resolve problems, not to fix thinking. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy assumes that thoughts are opinions, not facts, and like all opinions, they may or may not be accurate. It maintains that changing what you do is often a powerful way of changing thoughts and emotions.
The importance of the therapeutic relationship
Aaron Beck, the father of cognitive therapy, always emphasised the importance of the therapeutic relationship. He maintained that without the therapeutic relationship, cognitive techniques are useless.
Interestingly, although Beck emphasised the importance of Rogers core conditions, he referred to them as “necessary but not sufficient”. Beck referred to the core conditions as “collaborative empiricism” which emphasises the importance of client and therapist working together to test out how the ideas behind cognitive behavioural therapy might apply to the client’s individual circumstances.
Comparing CBT therapy to person-centered therapy
In contrast to person-centred therapy in which the counsellor is non-directive, in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy the therapist is often seen to have more power. CBT therapists are more directive than person-centered therapists and as such, they impact a lot on the cognitive and behavioural changes in the client.
In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the nature of the relationship between counsellor and client is equal, but more formal, problem-focused, and practical. Although CBT does not see the relationship as sufficiently therapeutic in itself, it is still seen as an essential foundation for effective therapy.
Unlike person-centred therapy which may focus on any given point in your life, the main focus in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is on what is happening in the present and the processes currently maintaining the problem, rather than the process that might have led to its development many years ago. This emphasises the theory that whatever may have initially caused the problem might not be what is maintaining it in the present.
Criticisms of CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often criticised for its lack of relational depth and failing to relate an individual’s past with their present experience.
One of the limitations of CBT when compared to other approaches is that it does not consider the various self-dialogues which characterise a client’s processing. However, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can examine how self-defeating thinking patterns might have been formed in early childhood and considers the impact that this might have on how the world is interpreted by you in the present. As therapy progresses, these patterns of thinking can be challenged and then altered.
Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to manage anxiety and depression
CBT assumes that the occurrence of behaviour and emotional problems in most individuals is linked to “faulty thinking” and maintains that changing what you do is often a powerful way of changing thoughts and emotions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an effective evidence based modality which has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
How it works
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy uses thought record sheets to help you explore the thoughts, emotions and behaviours around a particular situation or problem, for example panic attacks caused by severe anxiety. The CBT therapist or counsellor asks carefully constructed questions to help you identify what you want to change about a particular situation, and then supports you to take the necessary steps towards making the necessary changes.
Using CBT at home
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy encourages home practice and reviews progress to assess what you are learning about yourself. It also involves teaching relaxation exercises, planning activities, keeping a thought diary, and doing experiments.
Overall, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help you to tackle your issues in a problem focused, structured way, and consider various strategies you might adopt to improve your situation.
Using CBT in counselling
As an integrative counsellor, I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help individuals learn practical skills and strategies to change their thoughts, emotions and behaviours, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
FREE initial consultation
To book a FREE 15-minute consultation, with no obligation to book, reach out to Frances Rayner at Dove Counselling in Plymouth:
Tel: 07940 865994.