1
Introduction to Cognitive Behavior Therapy
0
terms
2
notes
3
Aaron Beck developed a form of psychotherapy in the 1960s and 1970s that he originally named “cognitive therapy,” a term that is often used synonymously with “cognitive behavior therapy” (CBT) by much of our field. Beck devised a structured, short-term, present-oriented psychotherapy for depression (Beck, 1964). Since that time, he and others around the world have successfully adapted this therapy to a surprisingly diverse set of populations with a wide range of disorders and problems, in many settings and formats. These adaptations have changed the focus, techniques, and length of treatment, but the theoretical assumptions themselves have remained constant.
In all forms of CBT that are derived from Beck’s model, clinicians base treatment on a cognitive formulation: the maladaptive beliefs, behavioral strategies, and maintaining factors that characterize a specific disorder (Alford & Beck, 1997). You will also base treatment on your conceptualization, or understanding, of individual clients and their specific underlying beliefs and patterns of behavior. One of Abe’s underlying negative beliefs was “I’m a failure,” and he engaged in extensive behavioral avoidance so his (perceived) incompetence, or failure, wouldn’t be apparent. But his avoidance ironically strengthened his belief of failure.
Aaron Beck developed a form of psychotherapy in the 1960s and 1970s that he originally named “cognitive therapy,” a term that is often used synonymously with “cognitive behavior therapy” (CBT) by much of our field. Beck devised a structured, short-term, present-oriented psychotherapy for depression (Beck, 1964). Since that time, he and others around the world have successfully adapted this therapy to a surprisingly diverse set of populations with a wide range of disorders and problems, in many settings and formats. These adaptations have changed the focus, techniques, and length of treatment, but the theoretical assumptions themselves have remained constant.
In all forms of CBT that are derived from Beck’s model, clinicians base treatment on a cognitive formulation: the maladaptive beliefs, behavioral strategies, and maintaining factors that characterize a specific disorder (Alford & Beck, 1997). You will also base treatment on your conceptualization, or understanding, of individual clients and their specific underlying beliefs and patterns of behavior. One of Abe’s underlying negative beliefs was “I’m a failure,” and he engaged in extensive behavioral avoidance so his (perceived) incompetence, or failure, wouldn’t be apparent. But his avoidance ironically strengthened his belief of failure.
14
As of right now, start noticing when
- your mood has changed or intensified in a negative direction,
- you are having bodily sensations associated with negative emotion (such as your heart beating fast when you become anxious), and/or
- you are engaging in unhelpful behavior or avoiding engaging in helpful behavior.
Ask yourself what emotion you are experiencing, as well as the cardinal question of cognitive therapy:
“What was just going through my mind?”
This is how you’ll teach yourself to identify your own automatic thoughts. Pay particular attention to automatic thoughts that get in the way of achieving your goals, especially the ones that interfere with reading this book and trying techniques with clients. You may recognize thoughts such as these:
“This is too hard.”
“I may not be able to master this.”
“This doesn’t feel comfortable to me.”
“What if I try it and it doesn’t help my client?”
As of right now, start noticing when
- your mood has changed or intensified in a negative direction,
- you are having bodily sensations associated with negative emotion (such as your heart beating fast when you become anxious), and/or
- you are engaging in unhelpful behavior or avoiding engaging in helpful behavior.
Ask yourself what emotion you are experiencing, as well as the cardinal question of cognitive therapy:
“What was just going through my mind?”
This is how you’ll teach yourself to identify your own automatic thoughts. Pay particular attention to automatic thoughts that get in the way of achieving your goals, especially the ones that interfere with reading this book and trying techniques with clients. You may recognize thoughts such as these:
“This is too hard.”
“I may not be able to master this.”
“This doesn’t feel comfortable to me.”
“What if I try it and it doesn’t help my client?”