|
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Career Guide
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The premise of Cognitive Behavior Therapy is simple: patients can change how they feel about themselves and their lives by changing what they do and how they react to situations. These behavioral changes can eliminate all manner of psychological disorders. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, is particularly useful in treating mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression and panic disorder. Patients are taught how to break their problems down into smaller parts to begin to deal with them. It is a short-term, direct approach to problems that relies on the present instead of the past to solve them.
CBT is a classification of psychotherapy, so there are many different approaches and styles to the field. Some of these include Cognitive Therapy, Schema Focused Therapy, and Rational Living Therapy.
|
|
|
The origins of Cognitive Behavior Therapy are relatively recent, although the thought behind the field has been around since the time of the Stoic philosophers (Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, for example). It was the physician Albert Ellis who developed the ABC model of emotions (which he later renamed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) in the 1950's. This sub-field served to influence the future of the field, but Ellis wasn't the only contributor. Rather, many mental health professionals over many years contributed their voices to the development of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Perhaps the most influential modern voice in CBT was Alfred Adler, who developed Individual Psychology, but other behaviorists, such as Dollard, Wolpe, and Kelly, also added their knowledge to Cognitive Behavior Therapy. It is still a developing field.
|
|
|
Patients considering Cognitive Behavior Therapy will complete an intake evaluation. They will fill out a self-report form that describes symptoms, problems, physical complaints, and even relationship problems. They are interviewed, asked about family history of such problems and current personal issues that they might be facing. Sessions can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes. The therapist may see the patient for one session or for many sessions over a period of time, for as long as six months. Many insurance companies will pay for a portion of the cost of CBT treatments.
|
|
Conditions Treated:
|
- Agoraphobia
- Anger
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Bulimia
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Loneliness
- Marital Conflict
- Mild Schizophrenia
- Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder
- Panic Attacks
- Personality disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Substance Abuse
- Social Phobia
|
|
Benefits:
|
- Cognitive-Behavior Therapy can be more helpful than pharmaceuticals in treating many mental illnesses.
- Patients of CBT are taught how to help themselves to prevent relapses of problems.
- CBT can help people reverse negative thinking and habits. Patients are taught to deal with stress and calmly face their fears.
|
Side-Effects/Contra-Indications:
|
- Until patients are in a position to concentrate on making themselves better, CBT cannot help, so severely depressed individuals may need to be on antidepressants as well as attend therapy sessions.
- Depending on where people are located, it may be difficult to find a CBT practitioner.
- Those with traumatic brain damage or disease may not be candidates for CBT.
- Patients not willing to be active in their own treatment will not do well with CBT.
|
|
|
Becoming a Cognitive-Behavior Therapist is a long process, requiring many years of schooling. Individuals who want to pursue an education in Cognitive Behavior Therapy need to complete an undergraduate degree from a four year college, in addition to an advanced degree (Master's or Doctoral) in psychology, counseling, social work or other psychology-related field. Many CBT programs have stringent requirements. Candidates for admittance are expected to have 6-10 years of experience in the field of psychology and provide letters of recommendation. The CBT program is a certificate program, and as such, candidates need to complete the program to receive certification. The certification expires in five years, at which time therapists must complete at least 25 hours of continuing education requirements to become re-certified.
Degree/License offered: Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist (CCBT), Diplomate in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (DCBT).
Length of study: Undergraduate degree: 4 years; Graduate degree: 5-7 years; Certificate program: approx. 40 weeks
Cost/Financial Aid: $3,500-6,000 to become certified as a Cognitive Behavior Therapist.
|
|
|
1. Researchers in Quebec studied the effect of Cognitive Behavior Therapy on the treatment of chronic primary insomnia of cancer patients. The results showed that those treated had better sleep indices, a lower level of depression/anxiety and a lower incidence of sleep medication required.
http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/25/6083
2. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have been investigating how Cognitive Behavior Therapies can change the activity in particular areas of the brain in patients with OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. They have found that positive changes can be produced in as little as four weeks of daily therapy.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94382.php
|
|
Resource Links:
|
|
Practitioner Training & Licensure:
|
Cognitive-behavior therapists are trained psychologists with an advanced degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D., M.A., M.S.W., D.S.W., L.S.W.) and must be licensed to practice. Licensing requirements vary by state. Many states require practitioners to have a doctorate and an internship with practical experience. In addition, they require candidates to pass a standardized test and complete an oral examination.
|
Average Salary/Hourly Rate:
|
Cognitive behavior therapists can make money through traditional or nontraditional means. Many make a living through a hospital or social service organization; others run their own practice. Still others freelance, providing sessions at a per-hour or per-visit fee. A select number of Cognitive behavior therapists can make money through providing virtual courses. The typical salary of a CBT is 52,000 per year, or $75-$350 per visit.
|
