Stengths and Weaknesses of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of cognitive behavioural therapy The following essay aims to look at the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) on the treatment of anxiety disorders, acute stress disorders, phobias and depression in relation to previous and current evidence. The application of cognitive theory on behavioural change perhaps first came into its own in 1979 where Kendall and Hollon (1979, cited in Dobson & Dozois, 2003) introduced the notion of cognitive behavioural modification. The term cognitive behaviour modification encompasses “treatments that attempt to change overt behaviour by altering thoughts, interpretations, assumptions and strategies of responding” (Kazdin, 1978, page 337, cited in Dobson & Dozois, 2003). Although almost identical, cognitive behaviour therapy has a slightly different philosophy, which has three fundamental points: cognitive activity affects behaviour, cognitive activity may be monitored and altered and that desired behaviour change might be affected through cognitive change. Both methods also share very similar treatment methods; however it is their treatment outcomes which vary. Whereas cognitive behaviour modification seeks change in overt behaviour (e.g., Kazdin, 1978; Mahoney, 1974, cited in Dobson & Dozois, 2003) forms of cognitive behaviour therapy seek change in cognitions only and assume that the change in behaviour will inevitably follow (Dryden & Ellis, 1979a, cited in Dobson & Dozois, 2003). The term cognitive behavioural therapy is broader then cognitive behaviour modification and covers more breath and scope such as modifying belief change. Much empirical evidence has been collected over 40 years, to such a point where there is now overwhelming evidence that there is clinical value in utilising cognitive behavioural therapy (Dobson & Dozois, 2003). However the evidence lies in
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