Pscyhotherapies: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapies
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Psychotherapies
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative cognitive behaviors that influence the way a patient thinks of self (Shaw & DeMaso, 2020). Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on the psychological or unconscious processes that influence emotional well-being (Shaw & DeMaso, 2020). It examines emotional issues that cause cognitive problems. Supportive psychotherapy focuses on enhancing a patient’s ability to change and adapt to their current life experiences (Winston et al., 2020). It enhances coping mechanisms by providing support, education, and reassurance. All these psychotherapies have one key similarity; they all focus on helping the patient adapt and adjust to deal with circumstances in their lives so they can lead healthier lives. Second, all these therapies recognize the interconnectedness between emotions and cognitions.
One of the key differences between CBT and supportive and psychodynamic therapies is the time taken in each type of therapy. CBT is a short-term therapy. As Wright et al. (2017) reveal, CBT addresses the immediate problem by alleviating symptoms and negative thoughts. This often takes time-limited sessions to ensure that the immediate problem is addressed. However, supportive and psychodynamic therapies are more long-term. According to Shaw and DeMaso (2020), the support given to patients in supportive psychotherapy can be prolonged and continuous, depending on the patient’s needs. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is also long-term because it also looks into the historical context of a patient’s life. Specifically, it digs into a patient’s history to help them become cognizant of emotions that were previously unrecognized (Shaw & DeMaso, 2020). Another key difference is in what the therapist does in each of the three therapies. In CBT, the therapist helps the patient identify their thought pattern so that patients can engage in problem-solving and rational thinking (Wright et al., 2017). In the process, the patient starts a journey of self-discovery, which is essential in overcoming negative thoughts. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist helps the patient identify past patterns and emotions and how they affect current behavior (Shaw & DeMaso, 2020). The therapist encourages the patient to talk freely and then looks into th...