1.4.2 Main components of CBT

Question 1

Who first developed the cognitive approach and why

Answer 1

Aaron Beck as he found that psychodynamic explanations were inadaquate and that he could better explain his patients experiences in term of negative thoughts

Question 2

What 2 approaches does CBT use

Answer 2

• Cognitive and Behaviourist
• thus ‘cognitve behavioural therapy’

Question 3

What is the cognitive element

Answer 3

The therapist works with the client to help them identify negative thoughts that are contributing to their problems

Question 4

What is the behavioural element

Answer 4

The therapist encourages the client to engage in reality testing, either during the session (role play) or as homework

Question 5

Describe the dysfunctional thought diary

Answer 5

• as ‘homework’ clients are asked to keep a record of the events leading up to any unpleasant emotions experienced
• They should then record the automatic negaitve thoughts associated with these events and rate how much they believe in these thoughts
• Next clients right a rational response to the thoughts and rate their belief in the rational response
• Finally clients should re-rate their beliefs in the automatic thoughts

Question 6

What is cognitive restructuring also called

Answer 6

‘Therapy during therapy’

Question 7

What is cognitive restructuring

Answer 7

Client is encouraged to challenge their own thinking by questioning dysfunctional automatic thoughts

Question 8

What can be used in conjunction with cognitive restructuring

Answer 8

Behavioural activation

Question 9

Give an example of cognitive restructuring

Answer 9

• A client may feel distressed about something they have overheard, assuming that another person was talking about them
• During CBT that client is taught to challenge such dysfunctional automatic thoughts ‘wheres the evidence for this’ or ‘why do i care anyway
• These dysfunctional thoughts are challenged and replaced by more constructive ones

Question 10

What is behavioural activation

Answer 10

• Involves asking clients to keep a record of the experience, noting how they felt and what the specific circumstances were
• If it didnt go as planned, the client is encouraged to explore why and what might be done to change it
• By taking action that moves toward a positive solution and goal, the patient moves further away from negative thinking and maladaptive behaviour

Question 11

What is Meichenbaum’s stress inoculation therapy (SIT)

Answer 11

• A form of CBT used to cope with stress - we cant prevent the sources of stress, but we can change how we think about them and effectively innoculate ourselves
• This is done through Conceptualisation, Skill aquisition and Application

Question 12

What was Beck’s cognitive triad

Answer 12

• Depressed people have negative thoughts about
• The self (i am a bad person)
• The world (my life is terrible)
• The future (Things will not improve)

Question 13

How is Beck’s theory used?

Answer 13

Used to inform techniques used in CBT, to help clients change these pessmistic views