Transformation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention in Contemporary Health Care: A Review

Abstract

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention in contemporary clinical health care services. CBT was developed as a psychotherapy to overcome the deficits of psychoanalysis and behaviorism by Aron T. Beck. However, after 63 years, CBT has transformed from its early framework. In comparison to other psychotherapies, cognitive behavior therapy has rapidly changed and developed as an evidence-based clinical intervention. Therefore, this study explored the evolution of cognitive behavior therapy by focusing on its origin, development, limitations, clinical application, third waves, and future directions. Early CBT therapeutic framework has developed as a cognitive model of depression and developed as an intervention to address the negative core belief of individuals and rationalize maladaptive behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. However, clinicians have experienced several limitations and scholars have recognized theoretical limitations in CBT. Later, scholars on CBT have overcome these deficits and developed disorder-specific CBT therapies. Then, clinicians empirically evaluate those therapeutic frameworks and transform CBT into an evidence-based clinical intervention. Further, CBT has strength in integrating third-wave therapies. In the future, CBT will therapeutically further transform with technology, integrating advanced theories of pathology, and clinical demand of the present health care services. Therefore, as a psychotherapeutic intervention, cognitive behavior therapy has transformed from its early framework, and at present, it has developed empirically. Further, in the future, it will transform into a more effective psychotherapeutic intervention.