Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) employs a range of terms and concepts that are integral to its framework. Below is a glossary of common terms used in CBT:

Core Concepts

Term	Description
Automatic Thoughts	Spontaneous, habitual thoughts that occur without conscious effort, often leading to emotional responses.
Schemas	Deeply held core beliefs or mental frameworks that shape how individuals interpret experiences.
Cognitive Restructuring	A technique to identify, challenge, and modify distorted or unhelpful thoughts.
Behavioral Activation	Encouraging engagement in activities to improve mood and reduce avoidance.
Exposure Therapy	Gradual confrontation with feared stimuli to reduce anxiety or phobias.
Psychoeducation	Teaching clients about psychological concepts and how their thoughts and behaviors affect emotions.
Thought Records	Tools to track and evaluate automatic thoughts, evidence for and against them, and alternative perspectives.
Socratic Questioning	A guided questioning method to help clients examine the validity of their thoughts and beliefs.

Behavioral Concepts

Term	Description
Behavioral Experiments	Activities designed to test the accuracy of beliefs or assumptions.
Graded Exposure	A step-by-step approach to confronting anxiety-provoking situations in a hierarchical order.
Activity Scheduling	Planning positive, goal-directed activities to improve mood and reduce procrastination.
Reinforcement	Using rewards to encourage positive behavior changes.

Cognitive Concepts

Term	Description
Core Beliefs	Fundamental, often unconscious beliefs about oneself, others, and the world (e.g., “I am unlovable”).
Intermediate Beliefs	Rules and assumptions derived from core beliefs (e.g., “If I fail, people will reject me”).
Cognitive Triad	Negative views of the self, world, and future, commonly seen in depression.
Cognitive Model	A framework explaining how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and influence each other.

Emotional Regulation Techniques

Term	Description
Mindfulness	Present-moment awareness and acceptance of thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Distress Tolerance	Skills to manage emotional crises without making the situation worse.
Relaxation Techniques	Strategies like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization to reduce stress.

Problem-Solving Techniques

Term	Description
Problem-Solving Skills	A structured approach to identifying and resolving life challenges.
SMART Goals	Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives to guide therapy.
Relapse Prevention	Strategies to anticipate and manage potential setbacks or challenges.

Advanced Techniques

Term	Description
Imagery Rescripting	Replacing distressing mental images with more positive or neutral alternatives.
Behavioral Chain Analysis	A technique to analyze the sequence of events, thoughts, and behaviors leading to a problematic outcome.
Cognitive Defusion	A mindfulness strategy to help clients detach from unhelpful thoughts.

Would