Cognitive Behavioral Theory Essay Example for Free

Cognitive Behavioral Theory EssayCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, problem-centered therapy that is utilize to address psychopathology within the case-by-case (Beck, 1995). This model of therapy is used to address issues of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relational problems, and drug abuse, and can be utilized when working with separates, as well as within group and family modalities. The core aspects of this therapy entangle collaboration and participation by the client, a strong alliance between therapist and client, and an initial focus on current problems and functioning (Beck, 1995). The theory of CBT emphasizes the birth between the various(prenominal)s thoughts feelings and behaviors, which is seen as being the underlying cause of psychopathology in singles. Therefore, this theory asserts that the identification, evaluation, and modification of ones disallow thoughts leave alone lead to an improvement in ones mood and behaviors (Beck, 19 95). It is important to understand the concepts and theory from which CBT is based in order for it to be efficiently utilise in therapeutic work with individuals, groups, or families. bit CBT is used to treat psychological disorders, this theory can be examined by looking at the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals with an absence of psychopathology. Beck (1979) and Beck (1995) evince the cognitive model in order to explain the theory of CBT. The cognitive model demonstrates that the emotions that an individual experiences and the behaviors that they exhibit are a result of their perception of a situation or event (Beck, 1995).When in any given situation, an individuals immediate thought response is their automatic rifle pistol thought (Beck, 1995). These thoughts are an immediate evaluation of the situation, which in turn directly influence the feeling that a person has about the situation. Automatic thoughts are experience by everyone and occur in the individuals mind prior to reasoning. These thoughts occur swiftly and often times the individual may be unconscious(predicate) that they cod occurred, being more observant of the emotion that they are feeling in the moment (Beck, 1995).Once an automatic thought occurs within the individual, it inductances a feeling, which in turn triggers the individuals response, such as a behavior and/or physiological response. For example, after a young child begins to pick up his blocks to be put forward, his mformer(a) rubs him on the back and gives him praise for his actions. His automatic thought may be, I am good when I put away blocks, triggering a feeling of confidence, an increased level of physical energy, and the behavior of putting away the remaining blocks. Automatic thoughts can be neutral, positive, or minus.We all have our own automatic thoughts as we move through our solar day-to-day lives and interact with others. In regards to individuals with psychological disorders, the cognitive mo del looks at how controvert thoughts influence the individuals feelings and behaviors (Beck, 1995). From a CBT lens, it is the negative automatic thoughts that an individual has that perpetuate symptoms of psychological disorders, the occurrence of negative mood, uncomfortable physiological responses, and maladaptive or inappropriate behaviors (Beck, 1995).While we all have moments of experiencing negative automatic thoughts, for those with psychological disorders, and more pervasive difficulties in living, negative thoughts are often experienced in situations that are neutral, producing negative feelings that lead to maladaptive behaviors or responses that would not typically be expected from the neutral situation (Beck, 1995). Aaron Beck presents theory of the cognitive model of how depression is rooted and perpetuated in individuals as a result of the interaction between negative automatic thoughts, feelings, and behavioral response.In this discussion, depression is conceptualiz ed in terms of the cognitive triad, which describes three components of negative thinking of the depressed individual the individuals negative view of self, their negative view of the others and the world, and their negative view of the future (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979). The cognitive triad is well-kept via the remaining components of Becks cognitive model of depression, the individuals schemas, or core beliefs, and the utilization of improper thinking, or cognitive errors (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979).Cognitive theory asserts that our automatic thoughts are rooted in our core belief system or cognitive schemas. Core beliefs begin to be developed early in manner and are based on experiences that the individual has throughout their life. Because these beliefs are so grounded in how the individual views their life, others, and the world, and begin to be cultivated so early in development, they become a fundamental aspect of the individual, who considers them to be absolute truths (Beck, 1995).Core beliefs are deeply rooted in an individual, so much so that the individual may be unaware of the belief and how it influences their thoughts about themselves and the world. Each belief can have varying levels of presence within an individuals day to day life, with some core beliefs remaining predominately dormant and only being activated in certain situations, while others may be frequently present in an individuals thoughts (Beck, 1995).It is the individuals cognitive schemas that allows for the categorization and evaluation of different experiences or situations (Beck, Rush, Shaw, and Emery, 1979). The core belief system maintains the way an individual experiences and thinks about a given situation (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979). While everyone conceptualizes a given situation in their own way, each individual typically conceptualizes similar situations in a similar way based on their own core beliefs (Beck, Rush, Shaw, and Emery, 1979).Within a set of s imilar situations, the individuals core beliefs trigger automatic thoughts, which in turn trigger the individuals emotional and behavioral response. Over time, the individuals responses to similar situations become more consistent, thereby causing the development of a routine response to these parts of situations. As this consistently occurs, the schema connected to particular type of event is further developed and the individuals assertion that the belief holds absolute truth is streng soed (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979).Becks theory underlying CBT focuses on the idea that symptoms of depression, as well as those of other psychological disorders, are developed and maintained through to the individuals negative core beliefs and triggered negative thoughts. In addition to the individuals negative schemas, Becks theory states that the cognitive triad of negative cognitions of self, others, and future is further perpetuated through patterns of faulty thinking (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Eme ry, 1979).There are a variety of faulty thinking mechanisms that are used by individuals to support their automatic thoughts and core beliefs, even in light of contradictory evidence (Beck, Rush, Shaw, Emery, 1979). This type of thinking can be characterized as labeling, over generalizing, personalization, emotional reasoning, magnification or minimization, and all-or-nothing or impetrative thinking (Beck, 1995). These cognitive errors are often extreme and phantasmagorical ways in which the individual assesses and draws conclusions regarding their problems, which is then used to further support their negative belief system and automatic thoughts.CBT theory declares that the individual can suss out to identify their automatic thoughts, thereby creating an avenue for changing the emotions, behaviors, and psychological responses to various situations. When utilizing CBT with a client, it is necessary for the therapist to conceptualize the individuals presenting problems from the pe rspective of the cognitive model (Beck, 1995). This can be done through the work of gathering breeding regarding the individuals current problems, diagnosis, and how the problems have been developed and maintained.As this information is collected, the CBT therapist begins to assess and identify the inaccurate and unhelpful thoughts connected to the problems, and the behaviors that are exhibited as a result of this thinking (Beck, 1995). As this is done, the therapist can then begin to guide the individual to identify, examine, and correct or modify the negative automatic thoughts, underlying core beliefs, and faulty thinking mechanisms that have sustained the presenting problems (Beck, 1995).