The Effective Theory Of Cognitive Therapy (PTT)

Cognitive Therapy (CT) has been utilized in the field of psychology for the past 30 years and falls under the broader theory of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Cognitive theory was developed to address depressive disorders and opened up to help treat panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance addiction, and schizophrenia through its diverse application of specific cognitive conceptualization (Beck, n.d). CT therapy has blossomed into an effective method to treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and equally effective with treating co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD). Traumatic events can range in severity and impact an individual from childhood well into adult life and these events are the roots

Intervention through CT addresses the belief system while also retraining the habitual behavior. A core principle underlying CBT for SUD’s is in the fact that substance use is a powerful reinforcement for behavior and as such these reinforcements are associated with internal and external stimuli that can be mitigated through CBT (McHugh, Hearon & Otto, 2010). As many addicted individuals are reluctant to seek treatment for substance use, CT interventions can help guide an individual through a process of Socratic dialogue. This technique helps lead the client to areas of concern without accusing and is supposed to challenge the client’s belief system. Wiers & Stacy (2006) add that CT is a process where instead of trying to unlearn maladaptive associations, therapy leads the individual to automatize action plans that lead to alternative behaviors. Understanding the negative consequences of substance use diverts the thinking process to planning positive reactions. The CT process does not just occur in the presence of the therapist, but in the day to day life of the client. Recording automatic thoughts as an example can help lead to unconscious belief systems that could stimulate

Though a majority of treatment models are a combination of both cognitive and behavioral therapy, treatment is favorable for many psychological, behavioral, and physical issues as well as special populations such as children and elderly adults. Maladaptive cognitions include general beliefs or schemas about the world, self, and the future, giving rise to specific and automatic thoughts (Hofmann, et al., 2012). As such, CT is effective in treating disorders that drive emotional behavior and exist as a root to a co-occurring disorder or a single diagnosis in which a distorted belief system is rooted within this behavioral problem. CT is a relatively short-term treatment option that provides tools through therapy and homework to treat how a client feels now based on the traumatic experiences in the past. This also encompasses patients that display other psychological disorders based on belief systems or cognitive distortions. Clients that benefit the most from CT approaches are those that are less resistant to