The Evolution of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy—The Third Generation and Its Effectiveness
Open accessAbstract
Introduction. First wave cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses essentially on classical conditioning and operant learning and second wave on information processing. They are based on the premise that certain cognitions, emotions and physiological states lead to dysfunctional behaviour and so, by eliminating the first ones, changes in behaviour will take place. Third wave CBT appeared in an attempt to increase the effectiveness of first and second wave by emphasizing contextual and experiential change strategies. Objectives/Aims. To make a review on the actual state of the art of third wave CBT, focusing on MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), MCBT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CFT (Compassion Focused Therapy). Methods. Research on PubMed using the terms “third wave cognitive behavioural therapy”. Results. Methods and targets differ between MBSR, MCBT, DBT, ACT and CFT. Depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorders are some of those targets. However, a transdiagnostic approach is the hallmark of all third wave therapies: mental processes or emotions transversal to many psychiatric disorders such as shame, self-criticism, experiential avoidance or cognitive fusion are the main focus, emphasizing the context and human experience over any categorical diagnosis. Conclusions. Third wave cognitive behavioural therapy is an emerging approach born from the need to improve and complement first and second waves. Although very promising, it is still a recent approach and data to support its superiority over the conventional therapies is missing. Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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- Authors
- Carvalho, S., Martins, C. P., Almeida, H. S., & Silva, F.
- Affiliations
- Hospital de Magalhães Lemos (PT)
- Venue
- European Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2017-04
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- S1
- Pages
- s773-s774
- ISSN
- 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
- 1778-3585
- OpenAlex
- W2724994835
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based stress reduction, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy, transdiagnostic approach, experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, shame, self-criticism, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, treatment effectiveness
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