Brief history of the theory and the theorist. In its simplest form, cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT as it will be called from here on out), refers to the approach of changing dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts into realistic, healthy behaviors. CBT includes several types of therapy that focus on the impact of an individual's thinking in relation to expressed behaviors. Such models include rational emotional therapy (RET), rational emotional behavioral therapy (REBT), behavioral therapy (BT), rational behavioral therapy (RBT), schema-focused therapy, cognitive therapy (CT). More recently some other variants have been linked to CBT such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Harrington and Pickles, 2009). The main thing that all these branches of therapy have in common is that our thoughts relate to our external behaviors. External events and individuals do not cause negative thoughts or feelings, but the perception of events and situations is the main cause (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2010). The idea of thoughts as they connect to behaviors can be traced back to Epictetus (55 AD -135 AD, Greek Stoic and philosopher). He stated: “Men are not disturbed by things, but by the vision they have of them” (Epictetus and Higgonson, 1944). Epictetus also wrote, “Do not force things to happen as you wish, but wish things to happen as they happen and all will be well (Epictetus and Lebell, 1994).” In other words, seeing things for what they really are will result in good health (Romaneck, 2007).” Another belief was that a sage or teacher was immune to unhappiness and evil… middle of paper… through history, education, or the improvement of music (Deggs & Davis, 49. 2011). Assignments for CBT clients may include reading suggested articles or books, taking surveys, journaling, recording thoughts and challenging negative automatic thoughts, creating timetables, and graduated exposures (slowing down the bringing the feared elements in the foreground). Guided discovery, structured sessions, homework and collaboration. Socratic reasoning/interrogation (open questions). Challenge NATS (negative automatic thoughts), challenge core beliefs. ERP (exposure and response prevention). Cognitive behavioral therapy uses the ABC model. A stands for the activating action or event, B represents beliefs or thoughts created by the activating event, and C represents the consequences or how we react to the event. Homework is a key component of this therapy.
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