Abstract
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), the integration of behavioral and cognitive therapies including a wide variety of approaches, has been recently evolved. The present paper aimed (1) to overview CBT and (2) to discuss the significance along with future directions of the therapy regimen, in relation to behavioral medicine.
Concerning (1), the authors first examined the nature of CBT, stressing the broad range it covers. The authors then described some of the major approaches in CBT, rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy and stress inoculation training, focussing on the basic ideas and techniques of each approach.
With respect to (2), it was indicated that CBT has much possibility to contribute to behavioral medicine for its effectiveness and common orientations to share with behavioral medicine.
Recent trends in CBT suggest that the therapy regimen still needs to be modified as it has been. Reconsidering the regimen, taking the constructivist and developmental views as presented in “developmental cognitive therapies” into consideration, must have much prospect. However, holding the scientific methodology in CBT as in behavior therapy is indispensable, if we conceptualize the former as a developed form of the latter.
Further development of the CBT regimen after such a reconsideration, though it may not be easy, will augment its possibility of further contribution to behavioral medicine.
