The Evolution of Cognitive Behavior Therapy: The Rise of Psychological Acceptance and Mindfulness

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed an explosion of interest in theoretical models of psychotherapy and associated technologies that highlight psychological acceptance and mindfulness. These developments have been controversial, with questions centering on the role of cognition in treatment, the incremental effects of approaches aimed at fostering mindful acceptance, and the novelty of these concepts and techniques with respect to older approaches. This chapter situates these developments within the history of psychotherapy, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in particular. We explore key characteristics shared by various novel acceptance-based models of CBT in addition to the philosophical and theoretical roots of tensions between cognitive- versus behavior analytic-oriented approaches. We review various theoretical concepts and intervention strategies that have emerged from this movement and explore unanswered questions in need of further research, clinical innovation, and theoretical development. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.