CBT makes a relatively clear distinction between techniques applied by practitioners compared to processes taking place within, or actioned by, the client. CBT is also one of the most comprehensively documented and manualised therapeutic models. Hence it is a relatively straightforward matter to construct a set of practice elements comprised of particular techniques and processes.

There is a particular set of techniques that are widely used in almost all forms of CBT, and applied to the aim of initiating or facilitating a large array of therapeutic processes.

The five primary technique elements of Goal setting, Instruction, Supervised practice, Feedback and Independent practice are used in combination in almost all forms of CBT based skills training (Bedell & Lennox, 1997).

These five technique elements are also used with the skill content drawn from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.