Cognitive behavioral psychology (CBP) is a branch of psychology that studies how internal thoughts influence behavior and perception. A cognitive behavioral psychologist tries to improve mental and psychological treatment through research, clinical work, and education approaching issues with the hypothesis that people, for the most part, create their own actions and reactions. A cognitive behavioral psychologist can work in a variety of settings, including teaching others about the field, working directly with patients, and conducting research and publishing findings in scholarly journals.
A cognitive behavioral psychologist may work with individuals, families, or larger groups of patients who are dealing with similar problems in clinical practice. Because it is important for a therapist to establish a relationship with the patient and help him or her with individual thought and perception issues, much of cognitive behavioral therapy is done one-on-one. The majority of this type of therapy’s techniques are based on teaching patients to provide self-guided assistance, which is often accomplished teaching them to rationalize their perceptions. If a patient says, “People think I’m stupid,” a cognitive behavioral therapist might ask, “How do I know people think that?” or “Why do I assume people think that?”
A cognitive behavioral psychologist might work with a group of patients who are dealing with mental-health issues like eating disorders, depression, addiction, or anxiety. Because it focuses on changing the individual’s thought patterns and behaviors, proponents of the theory claim that this type of therapy can be used to treat nearly any problem. In order to help groups of patients learn self-assessment skills to help them fight their problems, a cognitive behavioral therapist might collaborate with an eating disorder support group, a drug rehabilitation center, or a mental health institution.
The advancement of cognitive behavioral psychology relies heavily on research. Some psychologists contribute to the advancement of the field conducting research to see how the founding theories of cognitive behavioralism work with various disorders, or to test the efficacy of new techniques based on psychological principles. Researchers may receive funding from a variety of sources, including government grants and private commercial funding, to continue their research into therapeutic techniques.
A cognitive behavioral psychologist with some experience may find joy and a new career teaching psychology to other psychologists. Universities and trade schools hire cognitive behavioralists to teach classes and seminars on the theory’s tools, tactics, and philosophical underpinnings. This can be a great way to put previous work experience to good use, and it may allow a psychologist to devote more time to research and academic pursuits than a private practice would allow.