Cognitive Therapies – A Level Psychology Eduqas Revision

Cognitive Therapies are psychological treatments that emphasise the role of cognition (the mental process of perception, memory, judgement, and reasoning) in the development and maintenance of mental and emotional disorders.
These therapies aim to modify patterns of thinking that are believed to contribute to psychological distress.
Cognitive Therapies are based on the principle that our thoughts affect our emotions and behaviours, and changing maladaptive thoughts can lead to improvements in emotions and behaviours.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most well-known cognitive therapy, which combines cognitive techniques with behavioural strategies to change both thoughts and actions.
CBT is often used for emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as for behavioural problems like substance abuse or eating disorders.
Cognitive Therapy (CT), developed by Aaron Beck, focuses on identifying and changing distorted thought patterns. It is widely used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), developed by Albert Ellis, identifies irrational beliefs and replaces them with more rational ones. It is often used for anxiety and anger-related issues.

In cognitive therapies, therapists work collaboratively with clients to identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs.
The process of cognitive therapy often involves cognitive restructuring, a technique for identifying, challenging, and altering cognitive distortions and self-defeating beliefs.
Therapists might also use behavioural techniques such as exposure to feared situations, or they will encourage clients to try out new behaviours and evaluate their experiences.

Cognitive Therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in treating a wide range of disorders and have the advantage of being short-term and focused on the present.
These therapies can also equip individuals with coping strategies and skills that they can use throughout their lives.
Nevertheless, cognitive therapies may not be effective for all clients, especially those with severe symptoms or those who struggle to reflect on their thoughts.
Critics also argue that cognitive therapies could oversimplify the causes of mental distress by focusing too much on thoughts and not enough on social, cultural or environmental factors.

Research supporting cognitive theories includes Beck’s studies on depression, identifying specific cognitive distortions associated with depressive symptoms.
Ellis’ work on irrational beliefs provided the foundation for REBT and highlighted the role of irrational beliefs in emotional distress.
Randomised control trials have consistently found cognitive therapies, particularly CBT, to be effective in treating various mental disorders, supporting their use in clinical practice.