How is online cognitive behavioral therapy?

As the use of new technologies expands, so does their versatility. Fortunately, this means that, today, psychotherapy comes to cover needs that only 15 years ago did not reach, among other things.

Online cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the clearest examples of this phenomenon: one of the most effective and adaptable forms of psychological intervention can be used in patient care via video call, with very good results comparable to those of therapy face-to-face

In this article we will see what exactly this form of psychotherapeutic intervention via the Internet consists of, and how it works.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a model of intervention in patients that is based on the fundamentals theoretical-practical aspects of behavioral therapy and cognitive psychology that emerged in the late 1960s. The ideas on which it is based are the following.

1. The psychological is divided into behavior and mental processes

First, the cognitive-behavioral perspective distinguishes psychological phenomena into mental processes, on the one hand, and behavioral phenomena, on the other. The former have to do with cognition (the way of thinking) and emotions, and the latter includes actions that involve movement, and that can be observed by other people. This division is not radical; both dimensions are connected, but have their own logic.

2. Mental processes are the cause of much behavior, and vice versa

What happens in our mind has as a consequence objectifiable events that occur in our body: gestures, postures, deliberate actions, etc. In the same way, the way in which we behave towards the outside (and the consequences that this generates around us) affects how we think and feel.

3. Many problems are due to cognitive schemata

Those of us who work from the cognitive-behavioral perspective understand that part of the problems that affect the quality of life of patients are due to latent psychological aspects in the way of thinking and interpreting reality that the person has internalized, that is, they have been learning and have made their own (usually unconsciously).

In other words, from this perspective, discomfort does not come only from sources external to the person, but also of private mental phenomena, based on something like the "inner speech" of the individual.

• You may be interested in: "Cognitive schemes: how is our thought organized?"

4. Improving well-being involves modifying cognition and behavior

As its name suggests, cognitive behavioral therapy has two focuses of intervention: the behavioral dimension, made up of the individual's actions when interacting with the environment and with those who surround, and the cognitive part, made up of beliefs, thought patterns, frameworks for interpreting reality, etc

Fortunately, both can be addressed through online cognitive behavioral therapy, in whose sessions patients receive both theoretical information and practical training in various psychological techniques.

5. Change is gradual and requires the generation of habits

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is no different from other psychological interventions whose efficacy has been scientifically proven in the fact that it does not promise miraculous cures in a matter of minutes or hours: the changes occur on the time scale of days and weeks.

6. Therapy has a clear beginning and end

Psychological intervention is not forever. Once the objectives established in the first sessions are reached, the therapy ends.

How does online cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy work?

Cognitive behavioral therapy online does not present significant differences with its face-to-face version at the psychologist's office; the only change is the channel in which the communication is established: a video call in which the professional and the patient see and hear each other in real time. Clarified this, let's see how it develops.

During the first stage of the intervention, the patient talks about his problem and gives information about what he feels, what needs and how they live, so that the therapist gets an idea of ​​their characteristics and the contexts to which that person is usually exposed. person.

Behind this, the psychologist establishes a hypothesis about what it is or what are the problems to be solved, create an action plan and propose concrete objectives. All of this is presented to the patient, who gives the go-ahead before proceeding to the next phase: the implementation of the behavior modification program and psychological patterns in general.

From this point on, the professional helps the patient in two ways. First of all, allows you to adopt other frameworks of thought and interpretation of reality, in order to find new solutions to their problems and new sources of motivation, leaving behind beliefs that acted as ballast.

Second, it trains the patient in techniques that will allow him to develop ways of relating to the environment that are more appropriate and that promote emotional balance; These techniques are varied and the ones to be used will depend on the patient's problems and her needs.

As the weeks go by, the psychologist continues with the training, and at the same time gives support and resolves doubts, while motivating the patient by monitoring her progress. If problems arise, you can modify the plan that structures the intervention, so that the patient is not left far behind. Finally, when the objectives are reached, the possibility of holding more sessions is usually offered. spaced to ensure that a new and stable way of life has been reached, without suffering relapses or involutions.

Are you interested in receiving psychological assistance online?

If you think that you can benefit from having professional online support from a psychologist, Get in touch with me. I am a psychologist specialized in the cognitive-behavioral model and I attend both in person in Madrid and via video call. You can see my contact details at this page.

Bibliographic references:

• Change, d. (2008). The Effectiveness of Telemental Health Applications. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 53:pp. 769 – 778.
• González-Peña, P., Torres, R., Del Barrio, V., and Olmedo, M. (2017). Use of technology in psychological practice in Spain. Infocop.
• Gratzer, D. and Khalid-Khan, F. (2016). Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness. CMAJ, 188(4)pp. 263 – 272.