A Complete Course on Cognitive Therapies - CBT, DBT & REBT

What is Cognitive Therapy?

Cognitive therapy: A relatively short-term form of psychotherapy based on the concept that the way we think about things affects how we feel emotionally. Cognitive therapy focuses on present thinking, behaviour, and communication rather than on past experiences and is oriented toward problem-solving.  It is developed for the treatment of depression, anxiety as well a broad range of mental disorders.  It is based on the premise that our moods and feelings are influenced by our thoughts. 

There are primarily three very popular therapies in vogue viz. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy(CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy(DBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy(REBT) are very useful for treating most mental disorders.  

What is CBT?

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, abbreviated as CBT, is a widely used therapy that helps to rectify Cognitive Distortions so that people can break through their limiting self-philosophies. It helps them live more empowered and autonomous lives by transforming their own thought process from the inside out. Cognitive Distortions are exaggerated or irrational thought patterns, a negative outlook on reality sometimes called negative schemas, involved in the onset of the perpetuation of psychopathological states of thinking, that are often inaccurate and negatively biased.

The negative thought patterns are potential time bombs and can cause irreparable damage to a person’s attitude and personality. Unless treated early they may lead to disappointment, frustration, anger, anxiety, and depression.

What is DBT? 

DBT or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a specialised, useful and time tested method to treat various trauma-related mental disorders.  It works exceedingly well in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, etc.  DBT incorporates a philosophical process called dialectics. Dialectics is based on the concept that everything is composed of opposites and that change occurs when there is a "dialogue" between opposing forces.  It is also useful to treat people experiencing difficulty with emotional regulation or are exhibiting self-destructive behaviours and having thoughts of suicide. 

What is REBT?

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is a short-term form of psychotherapy that helps you identify self-defeating thoughts and feelings, challenge the rationality of those feelings, and replace them with healthier, more productive beliefs.  REBT works to help the client challenge, dispute, and question negative emotions, behaviours, and thoughts and transform your more irrational beliefs into rational and self-constructive thoughts.  It works exceedingly well in treating depression, suicidal thoughts, low esteem and other cognitive distortions like recovery from sexual abuse, panic attacks, panic disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), social phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD) and Eating Disorder.  

What is the Importance of this Course?

a) Mental disorders are increasing the world over:

Various studies indicate that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. In terms of quality years of life lost due to disability or death, the U.S. ranks third for unipolar depressive disorders, just after China, which is ranked No.1, followed by India. As per WHO, certain mental disorders like Anxiety Disorders, including Panic Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(OCD), Phobias, Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder(BPD), Bipolar Disorder(BD), and other mood disorders, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) have been on the rise worldwide. The effects of #Covid19 on the mental health of people would be gigantic. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional due to lack of awareness and fear of stigma.

b) Multiplicity of Psychotherapies: 

There are multiple varieties of psychotherapies that are available.  The most popular and effective psychotherapies are CBT, DBT & REBT which can treat most mental disorders and mental illnesses.  The Psychotherapy treatments based on Cognitive Behavioural Approach Therapies, like CBT, DBT & REBT, are extremely popular amongst psychotherapists and are very effective and time-tested. CBT is a catch-all phrase for therapies, that share common characteristics with DBT & REBT, which are CBT-based psychotherapies. and have evolved from CBT. DBT & REBT are offshoots of CBT and are considered as New Wave Therapies. The three therapies are distinct from each other in terms of their goals, philosophies, approach, methodologies, sessions, and treatment. CBT, DBT & REBT are tailor-made for treating particular types of treatment more effectively. Many psychotherapists use all three therapies according to the patient’s needs. Many students find it challenging to understand the exact nature of the three therapies and their differences.

c) Confusion among students:

This unique course contains all three therapies and explains in detail the difference and similarities of each therapy and their suitability for each mental disorder. The course is divided into 3 chapters, Viz.

1) CBT for Treating Cognitive Distortions

2) DBT for Treatment of Trauma

3) REBT for Treatment of Depression & Suicidal Thoughts

You will discover the concepts, philosophies, various therapeutic models, and techniques for the treatment of major mental illnesses. You will gain lifetime access to Video Lectures, Demo Videos, Self- Assessment Tests, Worksheets, Manuals, Articles, and Psychology Dictionary to help deep learning. We recommend the following after enrolling:

1) Go through each video lesson and make notes. 

2) Go through the manuals, worksheets, and articles provided.

3) Revise the lessons and practice the sessions at home.

How will you benefit from this course?

This course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the psychological process and help you discover how your thoughts (cognitions), feelings (emotions), and behaviours’ interact with each other in response to your day-to-day experiences. You will understand the nature of mental problems and the symptoms that will enable you to comprehend the techniques employed in each therapy and thereby help people. You will also develop self-awareness, self-consciousness, and self-esteem that will help your personal growth and professional development.

It is a beginner-level course where you can easily grasp the concepts and the methodologies in simple steps. The teaching style is simple and easy so that the students can easily grasp and digest the subject. The instructor for this course is Najwa Bashir, a counselling Psychologist who has made several courses on psychotherapies. The instructor makes the students grasp the concepts step by step and guide them to complex areas of learning.

By taking this course you will be able to help people to learn from past experiences to make wiser and more rational decisions, guide people in a time-proven process that improves mental wellness and upgrade their self-awareness, self-discipline and social effectiveness so that they can lead a healthy life.

For whom this is meant?

The course is ideal for 1st-time learners, students, health workers, life coaches, HR executives, parents, community workers, and couples so that they can pursue their goal of gaining knowledge and helping people. This course is not a substitute for University approved courses, but it will aid quick learning and grasping of the concepts of CBT, DBT, and REBT.

What does this Course contain?

The course is divided into 3 main parts, with each dedicated to each psychotherapy viz. CBT, DBT & REBT. It contains plenty of video lectures, Self-Help Worksheets from well-reputed websites, reference articles, Manuals and Psychology Dictionary.