Types of cognitive behavioral therapy include the classic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral, integrative behavioral, emotionally focused, and ego analytical.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or cognitive behavioral therapies or CBT) aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure. The term "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" is used in diverse ways to designate behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and to refer to therapy based upon a combination of basic behavioral and cognitive research. Some of these theories that are commonly used in couples counseling are listed below.

The cognitive approach therapist educates and increases awareness concerning perceptions, assumptions, attributions or standards of interaction between the couple. The central theme for understanding marital discourse using cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the behavioral marital therapy model. A couple's emotional and behavioral dysfunction are related to inappropriate information processing (possibly "jumping to conclusions," for example) and negative cognitive appraisals. This models attempts to discover the negative types of thinking that drive negative behaviors that cause relationship distress.

Behavioral Couples Therapy

The most researched approach to couples therapy is behavioral couples therapy. As a well established treatment for marital discord, it has evolved to what is now called integrative behavioral couples therapy. Integrative behavioral couples therapy focuses on acceptance and change as positive outcomes for couples in therapy. It is based on the idea that couples who succeed in therapy usually make concrete changes to accommodate the needs of the other show greater emotional acceptance of the other.

Behavioral marital therapists tend to improve relationships between a couple by increasing positive exchanges and decreasing the frequency of negative and punishing interactions. This model focuses on the influence that environment has in creating and maintaining relationship behavior. Behavior exchange between partners is flowing continuously and prior histories can affect relationship interactions. Behavior therapy in general is based on the idea that when certain behaviors are rewarded, they are reinforced. The amount of rewards (positive reinforcers) received in relation to the amount of aversive behavior is linked to an individual's sense of relationship dissatisfaction.

Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy

Integrative behaviorists help couples by improving behavior exchange, communication, and the couples' abilities for problem-solving skills. The integrative behavioral therapy approach examines functioning of the couple and is more flexible and individualized to specific problems in the relationship than behavior marital therapy. This approach examines problems and interactions that are repetitious (acts that are repeatedly done causing relationship problems).

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy helps couples to change old destructive communication patterns and rebuild connection. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy helps couples to recognize trigger points, explore and understand the basis for the triggers, detach from rigid unhealthy patterns of behavior, and diffuse conflict. Emotionally Focused Therapy is adaptable to a variety of complex situations, including helping couples heal after affairs and cope with difficult life stressors, such as chronic illness.

Emotionally focused therapy assists patients to acknowledge, assess, and express emotions that are related to distress. This model views emotion and cognition (thinking) as interdependent and that emotion is a primary "driver" of interpersonal expression. The primary theme of emotionally focused therapy is that couple distress stems from unexpressed and unacknowledged emotional needs. The dysfunction arises from negative interactions from emotions that have been withheld from disclosure from each partner.

Pluralistic Theory

Ego analytical approaches utilize methods to foster the ability to communicate important feelings in the couple's relationship. This model proposes that dysfunction originates from the patient's incapabilities to recognize intolerance and invalidation of sensitivities and problems in a relationship. According to this model, there are two major categories of problems. The first category of problems relates to dysfunction brought into the relationship from early childhood trauma and experiences. The second involves the patient's reaction to difficulties and a sense of unentitlement (a personal feeling that one does not deserve something). A patient's shame and guilt are major factors precipitating the thoughts of unentitlement.

Cognitive-based couples therapies have become an important part of the ensemble of tools available to the contemporary counselor or psychotherapist, and continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in relieving marital distress and contributing to the general health and well-being of couples in our modern-day society.

San Jose Marriage Counseling and Relationship Counseling

San Jose Couples Counseling services include couples counseling, depression and relationship counseling, and parenting counseling. Service area includes San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Mountain View, Scotts Valley, Campbell, Willow Glen, and Milpitas CA.