Overview
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) refers to a set of therapeutic modalities that focus on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions with the goal of questioning and reframing thought patterns to promote shifts in behavioral patterns.
Commentary
So, CBT is controversial. Perspectives on CBT are also controversial. There is no way to talk about CBT without making someone upset. But there are ways to talk about CBT that are at least somewhat anchored in the efficacy explored by research.
I’ll be upfront: I’ve soured on CBT after my experiences with its mass operationalization through manualized worksheets and exercises in group settings, which is the dominant form of psychoeducation or group therapy in most rehabilitation facilities. I fully acknowledge that the biases resulting from my bad experiences colors the way I approach the theory of CBT, not just the flawed implementations of it in practice. I’m still grouchy though.