-Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking
-Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behaviors
-People experiencing psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them thereby reducing symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives
II. How to the Therapist and Client Work Together Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Collaborative empiricism defines the process by which therapist and client work together in CBT and has been found to be a primary change agent. Working within a collaborative empirical relationship, the therapist and client work together in defining therapeutic goals, in creating a joint understanding of why symptoms persist, and in experimenting together on new ways of thinking and behaving that the client can implement to reach therapeutic goals.
III. Research Findings on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A 2012 study examining a sample of 106 meta-analyses of CBT concluded that "the evidence base for CBT is very strong." The strongest support for the effectiveness of CBT was in treating anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, bulimia, anger control problems, and general stress." The full article can be viewed here.