Cognitive Behavioral Therapy There are a variety of psychological perspectives regarding mental disorders, and each perspective has its strengths. One such psychological perspective is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which combines both behavior-focused treatment and thought-focused treatment, can be effective in treating many different psychological disorders (Wade & Tavris, 2012). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The central themes of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy are different, but together they form an effective form of treatment. Clinicians who practice behavioral therapy are concerned with the patient's behaviors, while clinical psychologists who practice cognitive therapy work to help their patients understand their thoughts and beliefs (Wade & Tavris, 2012). Clinical psychologists who use behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy together treat the patient's thoughts first, believing that constructive thinking will eventually change the patient's behavior. (Wade and Tavris, 2012). Rather than examining the unconscious like psychodynamic therapy or exploring the patient's current life like humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients change the way they think and behave, and this approach can help patients to control their symptoms (Wade and Tavris, 2012). Cognitive behavioral therapy uses a variety of techniques, including graded exposure (a method in which a person suffering from panic attacks or phobia is gradually exposed to the object or situation that frightens them) and rational emotive behavior therapy (a method that challenges “the client’s unrealistic or irrational thoughts”) (Wade & Tavris, 2012). This therapeutic technique is particularly effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it is also effective in the treatment of depressive and other anxiety disorders (Wade and Tavris, 2012). Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Personalized Essay Cognitive behavioral therapy is a valuable therapeutic technique. It focuses on changing the patient's thoughts and, in turn, changing their behavior. Although most effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, this form of therapy can be used to effectively treat various mental illnesses and improve a patient's quality of life...