Third-Generation Behavioral Therapy

Techniques

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as second-generation behavioral therapy, focuses on changing behaviors, emotions, and thoughts about ourselves and the outside world, and transforming them into more realistic and positive thought patterns. The idea is that you can only tackle the problem if you actively work on it. This concept is complemented by third-generation behavioral therapy, a new wave within behavioral therapy.

Sometimes, you keep struggling with a problem without finding a solution, or you fight against something that cannot be changed. At that point, we can utilize third-generation behavioral therapy, which focuses on developing mindfulness skills, acceptance, and learning to deal with emotions and thoughts more effectively, without trying to change them directly. We seek an indirect approach to make the problem smaller or less significant.

How Does Third-Generation Behavioral Therapy Work?

Third-generation techniques focus on the present moment, where we observe thoughts from a distance and distinguish between pain and the reaction to pain. It’s about how you think about a situation, not the situation itself.

With the help of mindfulness or meditation techniques, third-generation behavioral therapy teaches you how to handle recurring thoughts. The idea is that thoughts are just thoughts, and you don’t always need to act on them. You learn to take action despite anxious or depressive thoughts. These thoughts are not the absolute truth, but merely a reflection of your reality. Even though thoughts may continue to flow, you learn not to get carried away by them and to focus on the present moment. This way, you can become calmer and make more conscious choices in your life.

Additionally, I use transpersonal therapy, which focuses on the deeper meaning behind everything that happens to us.