Clinician tool

Evidence-based practice cheat sheets

One-page refreshers on the evidence-based models you use most — key concepts, session structure, and the core interventions of each. A study aid, not a certification or a treatment manual.

A quick orientation to seven common evidence-based psychotherapies — key concepts, the shape of a course of treatment, and the interventions each relies on. Filter to one model or view them all.

These are orienting summaries, not a substitute for training, consultation, or the treatment manuals. Delivering any of these models with fidelity requires proper training and ongoing supervision.

CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Best for: Broad-spectrum: depression, anxiety disorders, panic, OCD, insomnia, and more.

Key concepts

Cognitive model: situation → thought → emotion → behavior — thoughts (not events) drive feelings.
Automatic thoughts, intermediate beliefs (rules/assumptions), and core beliefs form the cognitive hierarchy.
Collaborative empiricism and guided discovery — client and therapist test beliefs as hypotheses.
Typical course: 12–20 sessions, structured and time-limited.

Session structure

Mood check / symptom rating
Set the agenda collaboratively
Bridge from the last session
Review homework
Work new material (the agenda items)
Assign new homework
Summary & feedback

Common interventions

Psychoeducation about the cognitive model
Thought records and cognitive restructuring
Behavioral activation
Graded exposure and behavioral experiments
Problem-solving and skills training
Relapse-prevention planning

DBT — Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Best for: Borderline personality disorder, chronic suicidality, self-harm, and emotion dysregulation.

Key concepts

Biosocial theory: emotional vulnerability meets an invalidating environment.
Core dialectic — balancing acceptance and change.
Four comprehensive modes: individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching, and the therapist consultation team.
Skills are taught across four modules (see below).

Session structure

Mindfulness — wise mind; observe / describe / participate; nonjudgmentally, one-mindfully, effectively.
Distress Tolerance — TIP, STOP, ACCEPTS, self-soothe, radical acceptance, pros & cons.
Emotion Regulation — check the facts, opposite action, PLEASE, build mastery, ABC.
Interpersonal Effectiveness — DEAR MAN (objectives), GIVE (relationship), FAST (self-respect).

Common interventions

Diary cards and behavioral chain analysis
Skills coaching and generalization to daily life
Validation strategies balanced with change strategies
Commitment strategies and irreverent / reciprocal communication
In-session skills practice and homework

The four modules under Session structure are DBT’s skills curriculum, not a single-session agenda.

EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

Best for: PTSD and trauma-related distress; adverse memories driving current symptoms.

Key concepts

Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model — distress stems from inadequately processed memories.
Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) supports reprocessing.
Targets are chosen memories with their images, cognitions, emotions, and body sensations.
Standardized eight-phase protocol.

Session structure

1. History & treatment planning
2. Preparation (resourcing, safe/calm place)
3. Assessment — target image, negative & positive cognition, VOC, emotion, SUD, body scan
4. Desensitization — bilateral stimulation sets, SUD → 0
5. Installation — strengthen positive cognition, VOC → 7
6. Body scan — clear residual tension
7. Closure — return to stability each session
8. Reevaluation — check gains at the next session

Common interventions

Resource development & installation (RDI)
Bilateral stimulation sets with brief cognitive interweaves
SUD (0–10) and VOC (1–7) ratings to track progress
Containment and grounding for between-session stability

MI — Motivational Interviewing

Best for: Ambivalence about change — substance use, health behaviors, treatment engagement.

Key concepts

Spirit — PACE: Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, Evocation.
OARS micro-skills: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries.
Attend to and reinforce change talk — DARN-CAT (Desire, Ability, Reason, Need; Commitment, Activation, Taking steps).
Roll with resistance rather than confronting it.

Session structure

Engaging — build the working relationship
Focusing — set a direction / agenda
Evoking — draw out the client’s own reasons for change
Planning — develop commitment and a concrete plan

Common interventions

Reflective listening and double-sided reflections
Evocative questions and importance / confidence rulers
Affirmations and summaries that gather change talk
Elicit-provide-elicit for sharing information

See the MI Pocket Guide for the full skills reference — this card is a brief orientation.

CPT — Cognitive Processing Therapy (PTSD)

Best for: PTSD — especially where trauma-related beliefs (“stuck points”) maintain symptoms.

Key concepts

Trauma is maintained by “stuck points” — over-accommodated beliefs about self, others, and the world.
Focuses on how the client makes sense of the trauma more than the narrative itself.
Available with or without the written trauma account variant.
Structured ~12-session protocol.

Session structure

Psychoeducation about PTSD and the CPT model
Impact statement — identify stuck points
ABC worksheets (Activating event → Belief → Consequence)
Challenging Questions worksheet
Patterns of Problematic Thinking
The five themes: Safety, Trust, Power/Control, Esteem, Intimacy

Common interventions

Socratic dialogue to challenge stuck points
Daily worksheets bridging sessions
Optional written account of the trauma (read in session)
Theme-based modules with practice assignments

PE — Prolonged Exposure (PTSD)

Best for: PTSD maintained by avoidance of trauma reminders and memories.

Key concepts

Emotional processing theory — avoidance prevents the fear structure from being corrected.
Repeated, prolonged exposure allows habituation and new learning.
SUDs (0–100) track distress during exposures.
Typical course: ~8–15 sessions.

Session structure

Psychoeducation & treatment rationale
Breathing retraining
In vivo exposure — hierarchy of avoided situations, guided by SUDs
Imaginal exposure — revisiting the memory, then processing
Homework — listening to session recordings between visits

Common interventions

Build an in vivo avoidance hierarchy
Imaginal revisiting with post-exposure processing
Recorded exposures for daily home practice
Track SUDs to confirm habituation over time

ACT — Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Best for: Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and struggles fueled by experiential avoidance.

Key concepts

Goal is psychological flexibility — the hexaflex six processes below.
The flip side — the “six of hexaflex” of psychological inflexibility: fusion, experiential avoidance, dominance of the conceptualized past/future, attachment to a conceptualized self, lack of values clarity, inaction/impulsivity.
Symptom reduction is secondary to living a values-consistent life.
Draws on relational frame theory and mindfulness.

Session structure

Acceptance — make room for difficult experiences
Cognitive defusion — unhook from thoughts
Present-moment contact — flexible attention to the now
Self-as-context — the observing self
Values — clarify what matters
Committed action — values-guided behavior

Common interventions

Values clarification exercises
Defusion exercises (e.g., “leaves on a stream”, naming the mind)
Mindfulness and contact-with-the-present practices
Willingness and committed-action assignments

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