What Is Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)?
I-CBT is a scientifically supported treatment rooted in a core principle: obsessions manifest as abnormal doubts centered on potential scenarios like “could be” or “might be” situations. Its goal is to pinpoint and address the faulty reasoning narratives and processes that lead to obsessional doubts (aka obsessions).
Many scientific studies support the main ideas of I-CBT. They provide weight to the claim that reshaping your cognitive landscape can indeed lead to lasting relief from OCD.
I-CBT’s Perspective
I-CBT suggests that obsessions stem from flawed thought processes known as obsessive doubts. According to I-CBT, these errors in thinking generate troubling thoughts even before any assessment takes place.
In this approach, obsessional doubts are the outcome of a reasoning story characterized by an excessive reliance on imagination and a lack of trust in one’s senses. Specifically, the distortions in the thought process of obsessional narratives often conceal the absence of any genuine basis in reality for these doubts. Consequently, obsessions persist and cannot be resolved through compulsions.
I-CBT aims to provide genuine resolution for obsessional doubts by demonstrating that these doubts arise from a distorted obsessional narrative. Individuals are shown that obsessional doubts differ from ordinary doubts, which have valid reasons, whereas obsessional doubts always lack any objective reality basis.
Therefore, the primary goal of I-CBT therapy is to correct the faulty reasoning that gives rise to obsessions, rather than altering the way these thoughts are comprehended.
The Significance of Inference in I-CBT
Historically, the common approach to treating OCD focused on the belief that obsessions come from intrusive thoughts that come into our minds and are then judged negatively. However, these intrusive thoughts are actually a normal part of human thinking and are not limited to people with OCD.
Because of this, these thoughts have usually been seen as something normal and haven’t been the main target of treatment. In essence, the traditional approach attributed obsessions to the inferences or conclusions people made about these thoughts, often assuming they were harmful or problematic rather than addressing the thoughts themselves.
This is where I-CBT introduces a different perspective. Instead of viewing obsessions as stemming from negative beliefs about everyday intrusive thoughts, I-CBT suggests that obsessions arise from flawed reasoning patterns.
Picture it as a mental misstep that leads us to doubt a situation where doubt isn’t warranted – like seeing a shadow and immediately thinking it’s a threat, even when it isn’t. This process, called “inferential confusion” (IC), is the driving force behind obsessions in I-CBT’s viewpoint.
What sets I-CBT apart is its emphasis on fixing this reasoning glitch at its source. While traditional approaches often focus on managing the emotional and compulsive reactions triggered by intrusive thoughts, Inference-based CBT for OCD aims to rewire how we reason and doubt. By targeting this faulty thinking process, I-CBT aims to disrupt the chain reaction that leads to obsessions.
The significance of this inference-based approach is backed by research, with studies showing that IC is a more specific predictor of OCD than the conventional six belief domains (responsibility, control, estimation of threat, tolerance of uncertainty, beliefs about the consequences of anxiety, and the capacity to cope).
Final Words
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to therapy, so it’s beneficial to have a range of options available to increase the likelihood of success. The emergence of I-CBT therapy in addressing OCD provides another avenue for you to consider. In a world where our understanding of mental health is evolving, I-CBT offers a new path forward for those dealing with OCD. By focusing on the root cause – faulty reasoning – it offers a unique opportunity to reshape our relationship with obsessions and the doubts they bring.
If you have questions or think that you may benefit from I-CBT for your OCD, please feel free to contact me for a free initial consultation.