Cognitive Behavior Therapy

What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?  Cognitive behavior therapy gives a primary role to thinking as it influences behavior (Corey, 2012, p. 10). Cognitive behavior therapy is very effective for the treatment of several different conditions that one may have such as anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, mood disorders, and other various psychotic disorders.  According to a recent website (quizlet.com) "Cognitive behavior therapy (clts) explores reasons for their behavior and seek to understand the ramifications of such behavior."
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Key Figures: Albert Ellis, Aaron Temkin Beck (A. T. Beck) & Judith S. Beck

Albert Ellis
Albert Ellis (September 27, 1913 – July 24, 2007) was an American psychologist who in 1955 developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
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Aaron T. Beck Aaron Temkin Beck (born July 18, 1921) is an American psychiatrist  and he is widely regarded as the father of cognitive therapy.  -----------------------------------------------------------------   Judith S. Beck Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., (born May 5, 1954) is an American psychologist who is best known for her work in cognitive therapy. Her father Aaron T. Beck, M.D., "The Father of Cognitive Therapy". ------------------------------------------------------------------ Key Concepts: Albert Ellis created one of the first cognitive behavior therapies, Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). REBT deals with thinking, judging, deciding, analyzing, and doing.  Rational emotive behavior therapy is based on the assumption that human beings are born with a potential for both rational, or "straight," thinking and irrational, or "crooked," thinking (Corey, 2012, p. 292).  A. T. Beck developed the approach known as "Cognitive therapy". According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 302) "Cognitive therapy (CT) perceives psychological problems as stemming from commonplace processes such as faulty thinking, making incorrect inferences on the basis of inadequate or incorrect information, and failing to distinguish between fantasy and reality." Beck's key concepts share similarities with REBT, but differ in underlying philosophy, the process by which therapy proceeds, and the formulation and treatment for different disorders (Corey, 2012, p. 321). Cognitive behavior therapy is typically short-term and focuses on helping clients deal with a very specific problem. During the course of treatment, people learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have negative influences on behavior to help them live more productive lives.

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Goals of Theory:  Cognitive behavior therapy is also a good option for individuals looking for a short-term treatment options without the use of medication. Cognitive behavior therapy offers clients therapy treatments that helps the clients develop coping skills that can be useful at the time of therapy sessions and for the future as well.  The therapist functions as a catalyst and a guide who helps clients understand how their beliefs and attitudes influence the way they feel and act (Corey, 2012, p.306). In some cases cognitive therapists even assign homework for the clients to help them gain awareness of their clinical needs.  Cognitive behavior therapy has been created to help with a wide variety of disorders.

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Techniques: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 308) "Cognitive techniques focus on identifying and examining a client's beliefs, exploring the origins of these beliefs, and modifying ).them if the client cannot support these beliefs."  There are various types of techniques to be used in cognitive behavior therapy such as role playing, behavior rehearsal, and homework assignments to help the client with various cognitive behavior issues. 

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Suggested link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvjoksJwHY

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9 th edition). Belmont,

             CA: Brooks/Cole.

lmtice. (2008, November). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy role play alcohol dependence. 

              Retrieved June 7, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvjoksJwHY

Quizlet. (no date available). Counseling Theories Retrieved June 1, 2012, from

               www.quizlet.com/_6pcj