Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Subject Name: Psychopathology and

Psychotherapies of Children and
Adolescents
Presented by Group B
Semester: MSCP-3
 Introduction
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely
used psychological approach focused on changing
unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns
• CBT Works on Two Main Levels:
• Cognitive = Your thoughts
Identifying negative or irrational thoughts and
replacing them with balanced, realistic ones.
• Behavioral = Your actions
Replacing avoidance or harmful behaviors with
healthy coping strategies.
 Cognitive Restructuring
• Definition: Identifying and challenging
irrational or maladaptive thoughts.
• Purpose: Replace distorted thoughts with
more realistic ones.
• Example: "I'm a failure" → "I made a mistake,
but I can learn from it."
• How it Works: Evaluate evidence for/against
the thought; restructure it rationally.
 Thought Records
• Definition: Writing down situations, thoughts,
emotions, and rational responses.
• Purpose: Track and modify negative thought
patterns.
• Example: Recording a panic situation and
replacing “I can’t handle this” with “I’ve
handled worse before.”
• How it Works: Client fills a structured chart to
identify distortions and reframe thinking.
 Socratic Questioning
• Definition: Guided questioning to challenge
beliefs.
• Purpose: Promote critical thinking and
alternative viewpoints.
• Example: “What evidence supports this belief?
What’s another way to view it?”
• How it Works: Therapist asks open-ended
questions to examine logic.
 Behavioral Activation
• Definition: Scheduling rewarding activities to
counteract depression.
• Purpose: Increase positive reinforcement.
• Example: Scheduling a daily walk to improve
mood.
• How it Works: Client logs and gradually
increases pleasurable/goal-oriented activities.
 Behavioral Experiments
• Definition: Testing the validity of beliefs
through action.
• Purpose: Disprove irrational fears.
• Example: Client afraid of rejection makes a
small request in public.
• How it Works: Predict–act–observe–reflect
cycle.
 Downward Arrow Technique
• Definition: Uncovering core beliefs beneath
automatic thoughts.
• Purpose: Access and challenge underlying
assumptions.
• Example: “If that’s true, what does it mean
about me?” → "I’m unlovable."
• How it Works: Therapist probes deeper beliefs
by repeatedly questioning assumptions.
 Graded Exposure
• Definition: Step-by-step exposure to feared
stimuli.
• Purpose: Reduce avoidance and fear.
• Example: Fear of elevators: look at photos →
stand near → ride for 1 floor.
• How it Works: Hierarchy of fear is developed
and exposure done progressively.
 Habituation
• Definition: Reducing emotional response
through repeated exposure.
• Purpose: Decrease sensitivity to triggers.
• Example: Repeatedly reading feared words in
OCD until anxiety drops.
• How it Works: Repetition causes
desensitization.
 Mindfulness
• Definition: Present-moment nonjudgmental
awareness.
• Purpose: Reduce rumination and stress.
• Example: Focusing on breath when anxious.
• How it Works: Grounding techniques are used
to train attention.
 Problem-Solving Training
• Definition: Teaching a structured approach to
solving problems.
• Purpose: Empower clients and reduce
helplessness.
• Example: Identify → brainstorm → evaluate →
choose → act → review.
• How it Works: Systematic steps guide real-life
decision-making.
 Activity Scheduling
• Definition: Planning meaningful activities.
• Purpose: Break inactivity cycles in depression.
• Example: Schedule 1 enjoyable task per day
(e.g., baking, calling a friend).
• How it Works: Structure increases motivation
and mood.
 Role-Playing
• Definition: Practicing real-life interactions.
• Purpose: Build social and coping skills.
• Example: Rehearsing how to assertively say
no.
• How it Works: Therapist and client switch
roles to develop scripts.
 Relaxation Training
• Definition: Techniques to reduce physiological
arousal.
• Purpose: Manage stress and anxiety.
• Example: Progressive muscle relaxation.
• How it Works: Relaxation techniques are
taught and practiced.
 Self-Monitoring
• Definition: Tracking symptoms, triggers, or
behaviors.
• Purpose: Increase awareness and control.
• Example: Tracking panic attacks—time,
triggers, intensity.
• How it Works: Client keeps daily records; data
is reviewed in session.
 Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Definition: Weighing pros and cons of beliefs
or behaviors.
• Purpose: Challenge the utility of unhelpful
thoughts.
• Example: “What are the benefits of avoiding
confrontation?”
• How it Works: Structured evaluation leads to
more adaptive choices.
 Functional Analysis
• Definition: Analyzing triggers and
consequences of behavior.
• Purpose: Understand and change patterns.
• Example: What leads to binge eating? What
does it achieve?
• How it Works: ABC model (Antecedent–
Behavior–Consequence).
 Assertiveness Training
• Definition: Teaching how to express needs
confidently and respectfully.
• Purpose: Replace passive or aggressive
communication.
• Example: Practicing “I feel” statements.
• How it Works: Role-playing and scripts
improve assertiveness.
 Journaling
• Definition: Writing thoughts and feelings to
process them.
• Purpose: Clarify thinking and emotional
expression.
• Example: Writing about daily stressors and
reactions.
• How it Works: Frees mental space and reveals
patterns.
 Acceptance Training
• Definition: Accepting what cannot be
controlled instead of fighting it.
• Purpose: Reduce resistance to pain or distress.
• Example: Accepting that sadness is part of
grieving.
• How it Works: Clients learn to let go of control
and focus on meaningful action.