Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

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COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY INTRODUCTION I have chosen to write this essay on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (C.B.T.). In doing so, I shall endeavour to express some of my learning gained from attending module 1105b at PCI College, tutored by Ms Noeleen Murphy, November to December 2010. This essay will attempt to give a brief overview of the basic principles of C.B.T. and the assumptions on which it is based. I have also outlined some of the key concepts and techniques employed when using C.B.T., its educational nature and its strengths and limitations. “If we wish to change the sentiments, it is necessary before all to modify the idea which has produced (them), and to recognise either that it is not correct in itself or that it does not touch our interests. – Paul Dubois”. (Beck 1976, page 213). PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES & KEY CONCEPTS Aaron T. Beck developed his approach known as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a result of his work and observations with depressed clients. C.B.T. is based on fundamental assumptions that our thoughts can and do determine how we feel and behave in relation to events in our everyday lives and our environment. Beck contends that psychological problems or dysfunctional behaviour can occur as a result of faulty or distorted thinking and through engaging and employing C.B.T. techniques we can change or modify the way we think, to cause us to feel and act better even if our external situations and events do not change. THREE FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS. 1. “ Cognitive appraisals of events can affect behavioural responses to those events. How one interprets or perceives the reality of a situation or event will affect ones decision in terms of how to react or “feel about” the event or situation. This assumption has found wide empirical support. (Dobson & Dozois, 2002). 2. The second assumption of C.B.T. is that
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