The implementation of practical rationality techniques during the post-intervention stage of cognitive behavioural therapy for patients diagnosed with anxiety conditions

Abstract

The main objective of CBT is to alleviate their clients’ distress by reframing their false cognitions and behaviours through identifying their negative automatic thoughts (NATs). The goal of Practical Rationality is to identify potential fallacies that an individual might unknowingly commit in their day-to-day lives regarding big or mundane decisions and provide several methodologies to better optimize their lives. My initial intuition is that Practical Rationality techniques are similar to the concepts applied in CBT and that it would be valuable for the institution of Cognitive Therapy. Therefore, in this paper, I will be exploring the plausibility of implementing Practical Rationality techniques in CBT. In doing so, I must first examine the various similarities and differences between the two theoretical frameworks, whilst respectively comparing the different advantages and limitations. I postulate that Practical Rationality techniques are most valuable during the post-intervention stage of CBT as the methods are easily adoptable skills in comparison to those in CBT in which they can safely utilize without guidance from their therapist. I also theorize that the commitment of individuals regarding their progress would be higher post-CBT and that the aforementioned techniques would be useful in preventing a relapse when encountering triggering events.