Does cognitive therapy exist? A reflection about psychotherapy models focused on working with knowledge elements

Abstract

In this article the characteristics of different models of therapy that work with cognitive and knowledge elements are revisited. Emphasis is focused on standard cognitive therapies as well as in constructivist approaches, but we also included models of cognitive bias modification and third generation therapies. The characteristics of these models are analyzed in the general framework of psychotherapy, attending to the criteria of conception of subject, therapy, and problems, research criteria and epistemological basis. The article ends with a summary related with different aspects of cognition: accessibility to consciousness, levels of cognition, links with emotion, processes, structure, methods of research and its cultural and shared nature.