Jennifer Z Lewis
Liberty University
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of treatment that helps clients detect and change dysfunctional and false thought and behavioral patterns through restructuring of their thought process. Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown to be effective with many areas of mental distress including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy has three main founders: Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, and Donald Meichenbaum. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses of cognitive behavioral therapy include rigidity and lack of insight into ones past, which can create a cycling pattern …show more content…
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat multiple conditions such as mood, anxiety, personality, eating, substance abuse and psychotic disorders. Aaron Beck focused on treating people with depression when he was developing his cognitive treatment program (Corey, 2013). Cognitive behavioral therapy is being use within the Christian counseling arena as well. CBT focuses on creating a more positive thought and behavioral process, which on its own is an excellent form of therapy, but used in conjunction with Christian counseling the effects can be powerful (Pietch, 2012). Cognitive therapy is capable of being successfully integrated with Christian pastoral counsel, assisting believers with a more joyful life by dealing with spiritual and psychological issues from the past (Pietch, 2012). When CBT is integrated within the spiritual context of pastoral care the retraining of the mind that takes place focuses on scripture and the healing power of Jesus (Pietch, 2012). The key to integrating these therapies is using scripture and biblical truth as the focus of the psychological thought retraining process (Pietch, …show more content…
Just as there are several method’s used within the cognitive behavioral therapy arena, each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. As with any form of therapy CBT should be used on clients only after a thorough evaluation shows that treatment with this method would be compatible with the patient’s personality and psychiatric diagnosis. The use of CBT may not be recommended for people showing evidence of deep rooted issues with their past, as CBT focuses on refocusing thought patterns and not investigating past issues. Continued research into its usage with higher levels of psychosis and depression show promise into further uses of this