Aaron Beck's Cognitive Therapy

assumption of CT

when we experience errors in interpretation aka cognitive distortion and our underlying beliefs are triggered it causes us to have distorted emotional and behavioral reactions as well sometimes in the form of psychological disorders

Generic cognitive model

the link between psychological difficulties and our adaptive human responses provides comprehensive framework for understanding psychological distress

Type of Cognitive distortions

Personalization- relating external events to oneself

Labeling and mislabeling- allowing one’s imperfections and past mistakes to define one’s true identity

Arbitrary inferences- conclusions drawn without supporting inferences

Goal

clients can assume an active role in modifying their dysfunctional thinking and thereby gain relief from a range of psychiatric conditions

CT focuses on the present

the past brought up into therapy when it is essential to understand the origin of certain core dysfunctional beliefs and how these ideas impact on the client’s difficulties

use of CT

successfully treated depression, anxiety disorder, and chronic pain

3 theoretical assumptions of CT

(1) that people’s thought processes are accessible to introspection

(2) that people’s beliefs have highly personal meaning

(3) that people can discover these meaning themselves rather than being taught or having them interpreted by the therapist

multicultural strengths

It integrates client’s beliefs, choices, and emotional responses throughout therapy communicating respect for client’s viewpointsm

Looks at the client’s perspective allow clinicians to see where the assumptions are made and why they are possible

multicultural shortcomings

Clinicians may be short on patience when they are not culturally competent, and they may criticize client because they don’t understand client’s perspective

 

Therapist may have difficulty interpreting clients feelings and experiences accurately if they are unaware of client’s cultural beliefs especially those rooted in history