Behavioural therapy is rooted in scientific experiments conducted in the early twentieth century, which updated various different learning mechanisms in animals and humans. It was enhanced over the following decades by the development of cognitive therapy, which focuses on mental processes (thoughts, emotions, feelings), to form cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT.

 

It is an active therapy, both on the part of the therapist as well as the patient, where the therapeutic relationship is crucial. CBT seeks to update cognitive distortions, acquired throughout life, together with inappropriate and rigid emotional responses, by targeting behavioural changes.

 

Understanding the interaction between thoughts, emotions, feelings, behaviour, consequences and reinforcement is fundamental in terms of this change.

CBT uses different scientifically validated techniques such as "desensitisation", "exposure", "visualisation", "relaxation", and "problem solving" and many others, the list is long.

 

The basic principle during a therapeutic conversation is "Socratic (disciplined) questioning", which stimulates growing awareness.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy continues to be regularly assessed and validated by research.

In the last few years, other approaches have supplemented and enhanced this basic therapy ("the 3rd wave"), including "schema therapy", which is not a separate therapy but is incorporated into the cognitive behavioural therapeutic process.