What is CBT - Answers Cognitive therapy is a widely used form of psychotherapy that focuses on
changing dysfunctional cognitions (thoughts), emotions and behavior.
Key Figures - Answers Aaron Beck, Donald Meichenbaum, Albert Ellis, Leon Festinger, George Kelly,
Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, Bill O'Hanlon
Theory - Answers Maladaptive behavior is associated with patterns of thinking and response that do not
result in mentally healthy outcomes. The focus of therapy is on the present rather than the past. The
central premise is that behavior is maintained by its consequences:
• Consequences that accelerate behavior are called reinforcers
• Consequences that decelerate behavior are called punishers
Treatment - Answers The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to change or substitute these patterns
with more realistic and useful thoughts and responses.
Relevance - Answers It is used to treat Depression, anxiety disorders, phobias and other forms of mental
disorders. Medication is often used in conjunction with this approach to treat mood disorders and more
severe forms of mental disorders.
Cognitive Therapy is based on? - Answers Cognitive therapy is based on the theory that individuals with
depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders have maladaptive patterns of information processing
and behavioral-related difficulties.
Primary Target - Answers The identification of negative or distorted automatic thoughts.
What are automatic thoughts - Answers The relatively autonomous thoughts that occur rapidly while an
individual is in the midst of a particular situation or is recalling significant events from the past.
Automatic thoughts are frequently based on faulty logic or errors in reasoning. Cognitive therapy is
directed, in part, at helping patients recognize and change these cognitive errors (sometimes called
cognitive distortions).
Negative automatic thoughts - Answers Negative automatic thoughts can be associated with behaviors
(e.g., helplessness, withdrawal or avoidance) that make the problem worse. In depression or anxiety
disorders, there is often a "vicious cycle" of dysfunctional cognitions, emotions and behaviors.
Patients are taught - Answers In cognitive therapy, patients are usually taught how to detect cognitive
errors and to use this skill in
developing a more rational style of thinking