Is cognitive behavioural therapy and cognitive behavioural approach the same thing?
The Cognitive Behavioural Approach refers to the idea that a certain behaviour is happening for a cognitive and/or behavioural reason. Theories within this approach (like Beck’s Cognitive Triad) will put the behaviour down to the fact that the person’s thought processes are causing them to act/behave/think in this way, and that the problems can be treated by attending to thoughts and cognitive patterns. So, it could be concluded using this approach that a depressed person feels depressed because they are constantly thinking negatively and pessimistically, or that a child has been conditioned to have a tantrum every time they want a cuddle as in the past whenever they cry they receive extra attention (operant conditioning). One way that certain behaviours can be treated is through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – a treatment that focuses on altering a person’s thought processes. The depressed patient may be taught how to think more positively and assure themselves that they are a good/in