Which of the Following is One of the Critics of Cognitive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapies?
Which of the following statements is NOT one of the criticisms levelled against cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapies?
The primary criticism of cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapy is that they fail to address the underlying causes of depression, anxiety or other mental disorders. Instead, these treatments focus on relieving symptoms and increasing people’s capacity for managing their conditions better.
Critics of CBT often argue that mental disorders are caused by flawed thought patterns, and it attempts to alter these thoughts in order to improve people’s psychological wellbeing. While this idea underlies many types of treatments for mental health issues, it has not been scientifically proven to be accurate in all cases.
In order to transform negative or distorted thoughts, people need to acquire new abilities. Unfortunately, these new abilities may be difficult for some individuals to acquire on their own, so seeking out a therapist who specializes in teaching these techniques is recommended.
These techniques involve learning how to recognize faulty thinking, challenging and changing thoughts that don’t serve you well, and practicing strategies to replace them with more positive, healthy ones. Doing this can improve your mood, reduce the frequency of negative thoughts and feelings, and enhance your capacity for managing stressful situations.
Studies have even indicated that people who have tried cognitive behavioral therapy are less likely to relapse than those who use other treatments such as antidepressants or psychotherapy. While these results can be encouraging, it must still be remembered that this type of therapy requires a significant amount of work from the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may not be successful if a person is unwilling to put in the effort necessary to solve their issues. This is because these techniques are highly active and take up considerable amounts of time.
Another criticism of CBT is its failure to acknowledge the role social injustice plays in the development of mental illness. This argument rests on the idea that those with a history of discrimination or poverty may find it more challenging to manage psychological distress.
However, this does not guarantee a lack of treatment options for mental disorders. There are numerous effective therapies available that address the underlying causes and provide lasting solutions.
Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy all have their own advantages and drawbacks; however they can all be successful in helping you conquer your condition and lead a more satisfying life.
Both of these approaches can be effective for treating mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. They often work together with other treatments to give you the greatest chance for lasting symptom relief.