When you are seeking mental health services for yourself or someone that you care about, you are likely to encounter some confusing terminology. Today, we’re going to explore two common – and commonly misunderstood – clinical terms. By the time you get to the bottom of this page, you should have a solid understanding of the similarities and differences between cognitive behavioral therapy vs. psychotherapy.
About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
To identify the differences between cognitive behavioral therapy vs. psychotherapy, we need to first understand what each of these terms refer to. We’ll start with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Commonly called CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured, short-term form of therapy.
Dr. Aaron Beck developed CBT in the 1960s and 70s. His goal was to find a more effective means of helping patients who had depression. CBT represents a merger of behavioral therapy, which was developed in the 1920s, and cognitive therapy, which Beck himself developed in the 1960s.
As described by the American Psychological Association (APA), the underlying principles of cognitive behavioral therapy include the following:
- Psychological problems are partially the result of faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
- Psychological problems are also partially the result of learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
- People who have developed psychological problems can learn how to cope with these challenges in a more effective manner, which can ease their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
To summarize these principles, the general goal of CBT is to help people identify self-defeating thought and behavior patterns. Then, it helps individuals replace them with healthier and more productive ways of thinking and acting.
Dr. Beck originally employed cognitive behavioral therapy to treat depression. Through the decades, CBT has proved to be an effective means of treatment for people who have developed a wide range of mental health disorders, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Substance use disorders (addiction)
CBT can also be a beneficial element of care for people who have not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, but who have been struggling with concerns such as:
- Grief and loss
- Chronic pain and other recurring medical conditions
- Conflicts within the context of personal relationships
- Managing anger and other emotions
- Coping with stress
About Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term that can describe a variety of techniques for helping people who have developed mental health disorders. It also helps those who have been experiencing various forms of emotional distress. Psychotherapy is often referred to as talk therapy or simply as therapy.
In other words, if you are speaking with a psychiatry, therapist, counselor, social worker, or other qualified professional in a session that is designed to help you deal with a mental health concern, you are participating in psychotherapy.
Depending on the nature of the challenge you have been dealing with, your care may include participating in individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy sessions.
- Individual psychotherapy sessions are private, one-on-one conversations with a licensed therapist or other qualified professional.
- Group psychotherapy typically includes a small number of people who have been experiencing similar challenges, along with one or more professionals to lead the session.
- Family psychotherapy is a specialized form of group therapy, where all participants are either related or otherwise close to each other.
Psychotherapy sessions may focus on a variety of topics, including making essential changes to how a person thinks, behaves, or interacts with others; developing valuable skills to help them manage symptoms or resolve problems; and adopting more effective strategies for coping with stress or dealing with other problems.
These sessions may incorporate the practices and principles of several modalities, including:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
Psychotherapy is typically a fundamental component of treatment for people who have been struggling with mental health concerns. However, this does not mean that psychotherapy is the only beneficial form of therapy.
For example, some mental health treatment centers offer both psychotherapy and experiential therapy. While psychotherapy is talk-based, experiential therapies typically include interactive or hands-on activities. Examples of experiential therapies include art therapy, music therapy, adventure therapy, and equine-assisted therapy.
Differences Between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Psychotherapy
As you may have already determined, the primary difference between cognitive behavioral therapy vs. psychotherapy is the scope that each term encompasses.
Psychotherapy is a broad term that serves as a general category. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a specific therapeutic modality that falls within the category of psychotherapy. In other words, CBT is a type of psychotherapy.
While cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial for people who are struggling with a wide range of mental health concerns, it is not an effective treatment for every disorder. For some disorders, CBT is provided in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy. In other cases, completely different types of psychotherapy are used.
Customize Your Mental Health Treatment at Montare at the Valley
Montare at the Valley offers customized treatment for adults whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness. Our mental health treatment center in southern California is a safe and welcoming place. Patients receive personalized care from a team of skilled professionals. If you have been struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another mental health concern, Montare at the Valley is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
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