Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Question 1

Component: Dysfunctional thought diary

Answer 1

Clients asked to note events leading to negative emotions e.g. going to work as a form of ‘homework’

Record automatic negative thought, rate belief of it 1-100%

Write rational response to negative thoughts, rate belief 1-100%

Finally re-rate belief in automatic thought from event e.g. work

E.g. ‘I’m late for work and going to loose my job’ 100% belief

‘I’m late but will give my boss notice and it will be fine’ 75% belief

*Re rate original statement, hopefully lower

Question 2

Component: Cognitive restructuring

Answer 2

Therapist + Client work together to identify & change negative thinking patterns

Known as ‘therapy during therapy’

Client taught to challenge negative automatic thoughts e.g. ‘Where’s the evidence X was talking about me?’

Helps rationalise + change negative automatic thoughts

Question 3

Component: Pleasant Activity Scheduling

Answer 3

Client plans one pleasant activity a day to fit into routine e.g. eating lunch away from work desk to break normal routine

These activities induce positive emotions

Behavioural Activation technique - Client keeps record of experience + notes how they felt

If went wrong, explore what can be done to change that

Question 4

Effectiveness: Therapist Competence

Answer 4

Main factor influencing success of CBT = Therapist competence

(Ability to structure sessions, planning, reviewing of homework)

15% of variance in outcomes of CBT down to therapist competence

Question 5

Effectiveness: Individual differences

Answer 5

CBT more suitable for some than others

E.g. Less suitable for those with high irrational beliefs / High resistance to change

Also MH such as depression, schizophrenia

May need to be paired with other therapy e.g. Drug Therapy

Question 6

Ethics: Patient blame

Answer 6

Assumes client responsible for disorder + up to them to change

Environmental causes overlooked e.g. family circumstances etc…

So, blaming patient for how they feel not helpful as may need other things around them to change too

However, free will aspect could be empowering

Question 7

Aims of CBT

Answer 7

Aims to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with healthy thinking, as it’s assumed that mental illness is caused by faulty thinking process

Begins with an initial assessment where client discusses problems, and then sets goals with therapist to work towards