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Difference between Psychotherapy and CBT


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This is a subject that came up at the Derby Support Group last month and tonight I put together a very simplistic explanation sheet for them which I thought I would copy here for you.

During psychotherapy the therapist listens to your experiences, explores connections between present thoughts, feelings and actions and past events.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a highly structured therapy that is based on the principle that it is not things themselves which upset or annoy us but rather, what we think about those things. Changing how you think and behave also changes how you feel.

A psychotherapist is a term used for anyone who provides psychotherapy. Legally, it is not necessary to have any professional training to use the title "psychotherapist."

A psychoanalyst is someone trained to deliver psychoanalysis, which can be thought of as a type of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis typically involves several sessions per week, and often focuses on psychological conflicts that began in childhood.

Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who have completed six years in medical school learning about physical health care as well as mental health problems. They then spend several more years specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, working

Clinical psychologists differ from other psychologists in the fact that they have undergone at least three years extra training, although counselling psychologists also undergo extensive postgraduate training and work in CMHTs alongside clinical psychologists.

Assistant psychologists have an undergraduate degree and are supervised by either a clinical or counselling psychologist.

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Guest ppyvabw

I might just add that I have heard the term psychotherapy applied broadly to any form of psychological therapy, including CBT and that CBT is just another theory a psychotherapist may apply. Eg, psychoanalysis, transactional analysis, integrative, gestalt therapy and CBT are all different psychotherapies.

However, I have also heard the terms CBT and psychotherapy applied as distinct and different things as Ashley discussed.

I think there is some confusion there.

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