Understanding the Two Therapeutic Approaches to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy used to help improve a wide variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger, and even eating disorders. Although there are many types of CBT, the general principles remain the same: to identify specific challenges and create strategies for overcoming those challenges in structured ways. 

In addition to other interventions, Dr. Joy Kwakuyi offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) here at Faith Integrated Psychiatry. Below, Dr. Kwakuyi dives deeper into the two therapeutic approaches to CBT and what you can expect from CBT sessions.

Understanding two approaches to CBT

CBT is demonstrated to be effective 一 it’s even referred to as the gold standard of therapy 一 thanks to the two therapeutic approaches to CBT: 

1. Cognitive therapy

The first therapeutic approach, cognitive therapy, centers on the connection between your thoughts and your emotional state. Cognitive therapy reveals how your thoughts affect your emotional state and how that can lead to maladaptive or unhealthy behaviors. 

Part of cognitive therapy involves identifying the negative thoughts with which you struggle. If thinking negatively about yourself, for instance, makes you feel sad, you may slowly stop participating in hobbies that make you feel happy.

2. Behavioral therapy

Once you’ve identified your negative thought patterns, it’s time to work on overcoming the behaviors that flow from those negative thoughts. The second therapeutic approach to CBT 一 behavioral therapy 一 focuses on identifying and changing unhealthy behaviors. 

Combining the two therapeutic approaches

The underlying principle behind CBT is that what you think affects how you feel and behave

 一 all of which affects your emotional state. During structured therapy sessions with Dr. Kwakuyi, you learn coping strategies to help you. 

This includes:

• Creating a healthier pattern of thinking when dealing with stressful situations
• Preventing the negative emotions
• Improving how you react to the issue by using the strategies you learn in therapy

For example, someone with a social anxiety disorder might practice new coping skills to cope with social situations that could potentially trigger an anxiety attack. 

Benefits of CBT

Combined, the two therapeutic approaches to CBT can provide many advantages for you, including:

• Improved ability to develop healthier thought patterns
• Effective for many types of conditions and situations
• Can be used even for those who want to try to treat their condition without medication

Another benefit is that CBT integrates well with Christian counseling, which we’ll explore more in the next section.

What does the Bible say about CBT?

Because God instructs us to guard our thoughts, we can feel confident in the knowledge that the Bible is supportive of CBT. In both Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes about the importance of guarding your thoughts and casting out the “lies” and negative thoughts. This is why Dr. Kwakuyi uses the Bible as a guide for developing healthier thought patterns and creating coping strategies when using CBT.

Together, CBT is just one part of Christian counseling. CBT complements other psychological and psychiatric treatments. 

If you’re struggling with mental illness, you aren’t alone. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength. If you’ve prayed about your condition and you’re ready to explore the benefits of CBT, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwakuyi today. You can reach our Tucson, Arizona, office at 520-263-1583 or via our online form.