Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is Beneficial For Specific Subsets Of Patients

In the work of professional psychology, we have now a forray of theories, therapeutic techniques, and modern psychotherapies which has all too frequently ignore the spiritual element in human life. In Care of Souls, Dr David Benner recaptures the place of the spiritual in psychological work. Among the many benefits of the use of modern therapies and medical science, he has also emphasised putting God's priorities above one's own in the practice of Christian soul care.

CBT is a more directive type of therapy that does not need months of therapy work. Also, CBT has shown results that it is effective on someone who has a specific goal to overcome in an specfic amount of time. Though some people find CBT to be too superficial, a con of CBT is that the patients’ does not want to talk out their emotions. Many have said positive thinking as a therapy is not effective, and does not see any results for the short time

CBT is known to be brief and time limited. Unlike psychoanalysis, CBT doesn’t dig in too deep and focuses more in the present rather than the past. This type of therapy is also known to be very structured and the relationship with the therapist is not a focus of treatment (Sacks, 2007). CBT has a high work commitment and work doesn’t end when the session ends. When working with CBT the client has to be willing to work outside of therapy on their own as well. This is a collaborative modality which the therapist and client work together to set goals (Sacks, 2007).

Siang-Yang Tan, a psychologist that has been in the field for over 25 years wrote a journal on the Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This journal “covers the appropriate and ethical use of prayer, including inner healing prayer, and Scripture in a Christian approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy” (Tan, 2007). In this journal he expounded on the methods he used through his experience to ethically provide prayer and scripture in a suitable fashion. He also went a little further to talk about how, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most empirically supported treatments (ESTs) available for a wide variety of psychological disorders” (Tan, 2007). Tan described in part on how the principles of prayer can be merged in the therapy process and in certain circumstances have value in the client’s needs through their receptiveness.

CBT also fails to recognise the impact of situations or experiences that are out of the control of the individual and places total responsibility on the individual. Further, research has shown that although CBT is superior in treating anxiety and depression it does so only by reducing/eliminating symptoms and does little to increase well-being, however with a renewed emphasis incorporating symptom reduction and increased quality of life this appears to be changing (Oei & McAlinden,

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as successful as medicine in treating many types of depression and other mental health disorders it can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies and because it is highly structured, CBT can be provided in a number of different formats such as through computer programs, groups and self-help books. Some research suggests that CBT may be better than antidepressants at preventing the return of depression. It is thought to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.

According to Thoma, Pilecki, and McKay (2015), CBT is a result of the evolution and the intertwining of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Many of the early behavior theories and therapy techniques are combine with cognitive theories and techniques to form CBT

Some people say that because CBT doesn’t always cure depression or because it doesn’t make an, “unpleasant situation go away” that CBT isn’t effective to recovering from depression (Mayo Clinic Staff 6). While this is true, The Mayo Clinic Staff continues on and says, “But it can give you the power to cope with your situation in a healthy way and to feel better about yourself and your life” (6). Not one treatment can get rid of someone’s depression completely, all it can do is help by reducing depressive symptoms.

In 2011 Mark McMinn updates his book on Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, which discloses three important perspectives of Christian counseling. This recently evolving frontier for Christian counselors is what McMinn calls interdisciplinary integration. The relationship between psychology and theology is not the vital key component, but it’s how Christian faith is practiced in counseling. Bringing religion into the counseling office will bring challenges but with personal spiritual training and professional development it can be accomplished. McMinn shares a theoretical map on the prospective values and dangers of using religious interventions in counseling. In the first two chapters McMinn establishes a framework on the variety of religious interventions like prayer, the use of Scripture, forgiveness, and so on. Theses chapters would be part 1 of a 2 broad part that lays down a foundation for the rest of the book. The chapters that follow would be part 2 that explains the indispensable components in McMinn’s methodology to the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritualty in counseling. Psychology, theology, and spirituality is highlighted in the sessions of Christian counseling by guiding the person who reads an insightful understanding of integrating stages of: prayer, scripture, sin, confession,

#*CBT is an intensive therapeutic approach that helps isolate thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. Over the course of therapy, you may learn to identify unhelpful thought patterns and learn techniques to change them.

Cashwell, C. S., Young, J. S., Fulton, C. L., Wills, B. T., Giordano, A., Daniel, L. W., et al. (2013). Clinical behaviors for addressing religious/spiritual issues: Do we practice what we preach? Retrieved from http://search.proques.com/docview/1346947296?accountid=34899

In the book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality, the author Mark R. McMinn (2011) chooses to focus on how to shift from interdisciplinary integration to intradisciplinary integration. He defines interdisciplinary integration as the mixture of two or more different disciplines in order to find commonalities among them; however, intradisciplinary integration takes place within the discipline itself (McMinn, 2011). Using two different types of integration, faith-praxis and experimental, McMinn (2011) argues that the goal of his book it to be able to be a theologically and spiritually sound resource for those in psychology and counseling. In order for Christian counselors to effectively help their clients, it essential to understand that their goals are multifaceted because they focus on both the physical and spiritual make-up of a person (McMinn, 2011).

Taking all researchers in thoughts into account and the therapist’s own experience, CBT does work in giving structure to a client’s therapy and recovery and equally the client’s relapse prevention.

This article focuses on the use of prayer and scripture in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). First you must focus on the biblical approach which you acknowledge Gods love and deal with past hurts in a proper manner. You also must focus on Gods Holy Spirit and his scriptures. As the therapist you should not be in self, you have to focus on your client. You have to allow God spirit to be used in the therapy session. There were multiple types of integration that could be used. Implicit integration which refers to a more covert approach that does not initiate the discussion of religious or