Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT Based on Pages of the Course Companion

Cognitive etiology of depression What is one of the cognitive etiologies of depression?

Cognitive etiology of depression What is one of the cognitive etiologies of depression? That depression is caused by distorted cognitions (e.g. self-defeating thoughts)

How could cognitive psychologists treat distorted cognition?

By replacing negative cognitions with more realistic and positive ones (easier said than done)

Aaron Beck Have you heard that name before?

Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Restructuring Beck’s theory (1960s) still the core of many cognitive therapies today.

The principles of Beck’s approach Identify negative, self-critical thoughts that occur automatically

The principles of Beck’s approach Identify negative, self-critical thoughts that occur automatically Note the connection between negative thought and depression

The principles of Beck’s approach Identify negative, self-critical thoughts that occur automatically Note the connection between negative thought and depression Examine each negative thought and decide whether it can be supported

The principles of Beck’s approach Identify negative, self-critical thoughts that occur automatically Note the connection between negative thought and depression Examine each negative thought and decide whether it can be supported Replace distorted negative thoughts with realistic interpretations of each situation

schemas How does Schema Theory relate to Depression?

schemas How does Schema Theory relate to Depression? Negative self-schemas bias a person’s thinking.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A brief form of psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A brief form of psychotherapy Focuses on current issues and symptoms

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A brief form of psychotherapy Focuses on current issues and symptoms weekly sessions

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A brief form of psychotherapy Focuses on current issues and symptoms weekly sessions Daily practice exercises

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy A brief form of psychotherapy Focuses on current issues and symptoms weekly sessions Daily practice exercises Based on Beck’s cognitive therapy and includes behaviour modification

2 aims of CBT There are two main aims of CBT: The first is to identify and correct faulty cognitions and unhealthy behaviours

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Arbitrary reference – drawing wrong conclusions about oneself by making invalid connections

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Selective abstraction – drawing conclusions by focusing on a single part of a whole (you got a low mark in an Algebra test, but in general you’re a great mathematician)

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Overgeneralization – applying a single incident to all similar incidents (arguing with one friend does not mean that you have no friends)

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Exaggeration – overestimating the significance of negative events

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Personalization – assuming that others’ behaviour is done with the intention of hurting or humiliating you

Beck’s 6 patterns of faulty thinking Dichotomous thinking – an all-or- nothing approach to viewing the world

“I never do anything right” Underlying cognitive distortions is a cognitive schema, which processes incoming information so that it fits with the biased self- perception – e.g. positive events or successes may be filtered out to fit with the view of the self as a failure. Can you think of an example?

The second aim of CBT is to encourage people to gradually increase any activities which may be rewarding

AIMS of CBT Help the client change faulty thinking patterns and underlying schemas Help the client to develop coping strategies and problem solving skills, and to engage in behavioural activation

Meta-awareness One important feature of CBT is to teach the client meta-awareness – the ability to think about their own thoughts (Teasdale 1997)