Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)

Inference-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (I-CBT) is a relatively new form of psychotherapy that combines elements of traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on identifying and addressing irrelevant thinking patterns and faulty logic. This approach focuses on how people interpret events (appraisal), rather than the events themselves. It is mainly used to treat obsessive compulsive disorders and body-dysmorphia.

The goal of I-CBT is to help individuals identify their underlying beliefs and assumptions about themselves, others, and the world around them. Negative beliefs or inferences can often lead to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, or anger. By addressing these underlying beliefs through challenging them with evidence-based reasoning, clients can learn to change their emotional reactions to events and even stop themselves from entering into those faulty thought spirals in the first place.

In I-CBT, therapists work collaboratively with clients to identify the logic that obsessive worrying uses to keep the person in a negative, fear-based thought spiral. Then, the client is given strategies for changing and challenging this logic. Emphasis is placed on reality-sensing and remaining in the here-and-now. The therapist helps the client explore their thoughts and feelings about a particular event or situation by asking questions aimed at understanding the client's thought process and the meaning behind the potential consequences of the feared stimuli. Together they examine the evidence supporting one's thoughts and determine if they are based in reality or not.

For example, if a client experiences recurrent anxieties about contamination, it would be important for the therapist to help challenge this inference by questioning if there is any evidence in the here-and-now behind this belief. The therapist may encourage the client to engage in noticing their obsessive doubt sequence while keeping themselves from engaging in any compulsive behaviors.

I-CBT also incorporates mindfulness practices into treatment as a means of helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness techniques such as noticing, non-doing, and sitting with thoughts & feelings to observe their obsessive doubts without getting caught up in them.

Research has shown that I-CBT is effective in treating OCD, body-dysmorphia, and obsessive worry. In addition, it has been found that I-CBT can be helpful for those who have not responded well to traditional forms of ERP for OCD.

Overall, inference-based cognitive-behavioral therapy offers an innovative approach that empowers individuals by bringing light to inferential confusions that interfere with daily functioning. If you are interested in learning more about I-CBT or other forms of psychotherapy, please reach out.