Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Gaining an Understanding

Cognitive Theory (CT) was created by Aaron Beck and is centered on the idea that an individual is basically formed by learning as well as being influenced by their surroundings. 

A person's current behaviors, their treatment goals, and then how to go about altering one’s actions is examined using CT. 

A goal is to learn to minimize maladaptive behaviors and then to exchange theses behaviors with productive and positive thoughts and actions (Corey and Corey, 2011).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is the “ABC Model”, is looked at as being a method that looks like the following: 

I think, so I feel, and then so I do. 

The ABC stands for:

 (A). Activating Event, which is an occurrence as well 

as the clients’ perceptions of that situation, 

(B). Beliefs about the situation, which is an assessment on if the client is responding rationally or irrationally, and 

(C). Consequences, which is how the clients’ react and then what they actually do with their beliefs regarding their behaviors (Guiffrida, 2005).

References

Corey, G, & Corey, M.S. (2011). Becoming a helper. Belmont, CA: 

Brooks/Cole.

Guiffrida, D. A. (2005). The Emergence Model: An Alternative Pedagogy for Facilitating Self-Reflection and Theoretical Fit in Counseling Students. Counselor Education and Supervision, 44(3), 2005. 201-213.

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                           Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com