Cognitive therapy

Abstract

The scientific approach advocated in CBT has increased its credibility with more biologically orientated therapists (who have remained sceptical of other psychodynamic models), making the approach acceptable to a broad group of psychiatrists. There is a rich clinical literature describing the techniques and applications of CBT in a wide variety of settings. The acquisition of a selection of the above texts offers a useful starting point, and scanning of major British and American psychiatry and psychology journals is likely to turn up at least one important paper every few months. Those with a commitment to research would benefit from subscribing to the journal Cognitive Therapy and Research. CBT does not aim to be a panacea for every disorder, and cognitive therapists are critical of its overzealous use by inadequately trained or poorly informed therapists. To practise effectively, the therapist needs a coherent cognitive model of the problem being treated and, as such, must explore the theoretical background literature and critically evaluate the data from process and outcome research. Hopefully, this 'scientist-practitioner' approach, tracing the emergence and development of the theory and principles of the model underpinning the therapy, means that cognitive therapists practise what they preach.