Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) works by incorporating both cognitive and behavioural strategies. The purpose of CBT is to support the client overcome their complications by recognising and adjusting negative thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Homework is given in order to help the client to achieve their goals. CBT model is focused on feelings that act as a primary guide to fundamental beliefs and values. Referring to the question, CBT is considered to have much empirical evidence which shows that CBT is effective and useful for treatment of childhood, adult and late-life disorders. In essence, CBT is the most expected therapy to be accessible to clients within the National Health Society. In this essay I will also be focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of CBT practice and research to depression. This is because while I was researching, I found that CBT for depression was very remarkable. Therefore, I decided to research this area in great details on the practice and research to depression and unravel possible strengths and weaknesses in essence of empiricism. .
CBT fits itself fairly well to empirical research. This is because it is a therapy where a step-by-step guide is given to psychologists in order to show them how to apply unambiguous therapy approach. Consequently, all patients receive the same form of therapy. This is absolutely essential because of standardisation, however, some therapies are not easy to standardise. There are many debates that an individual who is depressed may meet the criteria for depression for completely different reasons; one cannot certainly categorise individuals by categories. These theoretical dissimilarities make it much more difficult for psychodynamic therapies to participate in empirical research. Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP) is an example where efforts have been made suit individuals. STDP has proven to be just as effective as other therapies that have been said to be "empirically supported " Shedler (2011).