Compare and Contrast Therapies
Cognitive and Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders including phobias, addictions, depression, and anxiety.
Cognitive behavior therapy is generally short-term and focused on helping clients deal with a very specific problem. During the course of treatment, people learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on behavior.
Behavior Therapy
Behavioral therapy is rooted in the principles of behaviorism, a school of thought focused on the idea that we learn from our environment. In behavioral therapy, the goal is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted or maladaptive ones. The techniques used in this type of treatment are based on the theories of classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
One important thing to note about the various behavioral therapies is that unlike some other types of therapy that are rooted in insight (such as psychoanalytic and humanistic therapies), behavioral therapy is action based.
Goals of the therapies
BT:
The general benefit is increased quality of life. Specific benefits vary depending on what condition is being treated. These can include:
- reduced incidents of self-harm
- improved social skills
- better functioning in unfamiliar situations
- improved emotional expressions
- less outbursts
- better pain management
- ability to recognize the need for medical help