1. Cognitive Therapy in Groups
Session 1
Group Basics

2. Group Basics 1 The group is concerned with:
explaining the idea that our feelings are caused by our thoughts;
teaching people to analyse their thoughts;
teaching people to find out about their problem ways of thinking;
teaching people to change those problem ways of thinking;
helping people change their counterproductive behavior

3. Group Basics 2 Not an ‘encounter group’.
Extensive discussion of your own emotional experiences with the whole group is not encouraged nor expected.
Individual work is essential.
The responsibility is yours!

4. Modules in the Group Cognitive Therapy Program
Module 1: Surface Beliefs and Processes
Module 2: Beneath the Surface: Exploring your negative belief system
Module 3: Testing your Beliefs
Module 4: Changing your Thinking and Feeling
Module 5: Changing your Counterproductive Behaviour

5. Module One: Surface Beliefs and Processes
Explaining the model
Identifying surface beliefs
Identifying habitual logical errors
Modifying surface thinking

6. Structure of Sessions
Collection of questionnaires (when session is the first for a particular day).
Review and discussion of Individual Work set from the previous session.
A lecture on new work.
An exercise based on the new material.
Setting of Individual Work for outside the session. This might be done in a break, or at home.

7. Reasons for Questionnaires
To monitor your emotional functioning
To see how much the course is affecting your emotions and your ways of thinking
To see how effective the course is in general
To get information for future exercises

8. Ground Rules Avoid negative talk Be supportive Provide equal time
Confidentiality

9. Getting to Know You Exercise
Share three things about yourself!

10. Individual Work from Session 1
Two examples from the last few days in which you have experienced emotional or behavioural difficulties.