There are many different modalities that are part of cognitive behavior therapy. Although these techniques or methods may have different tools within them, the basic theory is still based on the assumption that one’s cognitions or thoughts directly affect behavior. The underlying premise would be that thoughts can be understood and noticed. They can be changed or disputed. Behavior can change as a result of a change in thinking.
As discussed above, cognitive behavior therapy encompasses different approaches. There is no one single approach. The ideas behind cognitive behavior therapy is that thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interrelated and affect one another. The supposition by Cognitive behavior therapy is that thoughts cause the feelings and resultant behavior.
Cognitive behavior therapy
In this case, negative or irrational thoughts or thinking can cause negative affect or feelings. This results in behaviors that are often in line with the negative thinking. It is believed that pathological behaviors or behaviors that cause problems in our lives, come about as a result of faulty thinking. This can be because of irrational or nonobjective thoughts. It is posited that this is a distorted view of reality. If the thoughts are not objective, then the emotions and actions that result will also not be objective to reality. These irrational or unrealistic thoughts cause problematic emotions and anxiety. As a result, the actions that one takes a in a relationship with the negative thinking an emotions. …..
There are three foundational hypotheses that underlie Cognitive behavior therapy. First is that there is faulty thinking and it is the perception of an event or situation that results in feelings and behaviors. Second, the way in which we look at the world is affected by this irrational or skewed thinking. Third, behavior can be changed by changing ones’ thoughts. And although all of the approaches share these ideas, there are countless procedures which fall under cognitive behavior therapy which come about as a result of numerous philosophies and theories
Design
Cognitive behavior therapy is designed to help people who suffer from maladaptive cognitions. The procedures are varied but in general the person is taught to hear or listen to their thoughts. They are taught to change the thoughts I order to overcome the stress and problems created by the original thoughts.
One of the first and widely used therapies that is part of the cognitive behavior therapy repertoire is Rational Emotive Behavior therapy or REBT. This therapy was founded by Albert Ellis sometime in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. The basic premise of this modality is that of CBT. Ellis formed the ABC’s of thought and behavior. A is the activating event while B is the thought or view that is taken of the event. C is the emotion and behavior that results from the thoughts about the event. The most important aspect of this model is the B area. This is the area that CBT practitioners believe that they can help a person to change.
Ellis designed the model of cognitive disputation. The thoughts can be changed by taking them and disputing or changing them. This is also known as cognitive reframing or reframing. With this tool, the person who is suffering from the irrational or negative thoughts is show how to view the ABC’s. They are then taught how to dispute part b.
Cognitive Disputation
It is performed by using D, E, and F. Where D is a look at the event to make it as objective as possible. This is done so that the person can view the event in the proper context. The next step is E, where is the actual disputation of the thought. This is where the thought is rewritten so that irrationality no longer exists. The thinking process that is filled with errors like absolutes (always never) or with words like should or have to need to and must is now rewritten. The F is then the result or even desired outcome that might or did happen as a result of the faulty thinking. For example, I had a friend who was very upset that her young niece had received make-up. She could not understand how the parents could purchase this for someone so young. She said that she thought they should not have done that. She was very stressed and anxious over this event. She was able to use reframing techniques. She realized that the young girl liked the present. The parents had purchased them and it was not her right to tell them what they should or should not do. She thought that it would be a great way for her to spend time with the child so that she could show her how to apply the makeup properly. The result was that she was no longer stressed negatively anxious out over the situation but rather she was happily looking forward to being a guide to help the child and send time with her.
References
Beal, Donald G. (2009). Cognitive behavior therapy. In N. Piotrowski (Ed.), Psychology and Mental Health. Hackensack: Salem. Retrieved from http://online.salempress.com
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-therapy.html