Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

Core Idea: Thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. By changing thoughts or behaviors, emotional change can follow.

​

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

  • Structured and goal-oriented. Helps clients recognize and reframe distorted thinking patterns.

  • Widely used for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and more.

  • Strong evidence base and adaptable for many populations.

​

• Behavioral Therapy:

  • Based on principles of conditioning (Pavlov, Skinner).

  • Uses reinforcement, exposure, and desensitization to address phobias, OCD, and behavioral issues.

  • Often used with children and neurodivergent clients.

​

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP):

  • A subtype of CBT, designed for OCD.

  • Clients face feared situations while refraining from compulsions.

​

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

  • Developed for borderline personality disorder but effective for a range of emotion regulation issues.

  • Combines CBT with mindfulness and distress tolerance skills.

  • Includes individual therapy, group skills training, and coaching.

​

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

  • Focuses on psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and value-driven action.

  • Encourages acceptance of difficult thoughts rather than fighting them.

  • Used for anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic illness.