By examining the evolution and impact of CBT, we can gain valuable insights into its role within the broader landscape of mental health treatment and its alignment with contemporary values and perspectives.
Socio-Cultural Context, Theory Construction and Guiding Metaphor During the 1970s, the majority of behaviorists did not accept assertions made by cognitive therapists stating that conscious thoughts could influence an individual's feelings or behaviors. However, by the 20th century, the development of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) came to the surface and was accepted within the field of psychology. CBT represents an interplay of empirical methodologies aimed at comprehending human behavior and cognition, drawing from the foundations of behaviorism and cognitive psychology. The mid-20th century marked a period of notable shifts in psychology, medicine, and societal attitudes, all of which played pivotal roles in the development of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (needs a citation). According to Probst and Flückiger (2022), CBT represents a mix of empirical methodologies directed towards understanding human behaviour and cognition, rooted …show more content…
CBT practitioners recognize the significance of addressing systematic inequalities and other dynamics that lead to marginalization of individuals (needs a citation). This is often witnessed in terms of therapeutic interventions that incorporate strategies to combat societal norms or stereotypes that sustain discrimination regarding gender identity, race, and socioeconomic status (Rubin, 2020). Research conducted by Havig and Byers (2019), has shown that in the CBT framework, oppressed women may achieve anti-oppressive results. For instance, a therapist might prompt a female client to create two lists; one stating personal perceptions that support unwanted beliefs and the other discussing evidence that contradicts those beliefs. The latter list may include various instances of societal pressures a woman may endure in her day-to-day life. Consequently, through probing questions, the therapist can guide the client to recognize her strengths in order to overcome self-blame. Moreover, a CBT therapist can encourage the client to get further involved in social change, instead of assuming resilience is the only solution. By integrating such principles, the CBT framework can be adopted to promote social justice and empowerment in marginalized or oppressed individuals who seek