Describe the main components of
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
State the introduction? - correct answer The aim of CBT is to challenge negative thoughts and replace
them with constructive positive thinking that will lead to healthy behaviour. People are often unaware
that they are subject to cognitive errors. The therapist will try to make these maladaptive thoughts
conscious, and then by challenging them, the client will see that there is no basis for these thoughts. CBT
was originally used for depression and is based on Beck's cognitive triad but is now used for many more
illnesses. The three main components of CBT are dysfunctional thought diary, cognitive restructuring,
and pleasant activity scheduling.
As homework... - correct answer As homework, clients are asked to keep a diary of thoughts and feelings
associated with any negative events. This is called a dysfunctional thought diary.
They must pay particular attention... - correct answer They must pay particular attention to any
automatic negative thoughts. The therapist then needs to identify the type of negative thoughts
experienced by the client (e.g. catastrophising, mind reading, over generalising). These thoughts are
believed to be maladaptive and irrational.
For each negative thought... - correct answer For each negative thought the client has to rate how much
they believe it is true from 0-100%. They then give a rational response to this thought and rate their
belief in that. Finally, they rerate their belief in the automatic negative thought. An example of an
automatic negative thought would be that "my teacher hates me because I got an E in my test" with a
belief of 75%. The rational response would be "my teacher does not hate me". In this particular case, the
client is likely to be catastrophising. Catastrophising is thought to be a 'cognitive error', and a person who
catastrophises usually sees an unfavourable outcome to an event.
Therefore, clients are required... - correct answer Therefore, clients are required to keep a dysfunctional
thought diary to record their thoughts.
The cognitive restructuring component... - correct answer The cognitive restructuring component of CBT
involves clients being taught to challenge the automatic negative thoughts that underpin their mental
illness, through the means of Socratic questioning.
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
State the introduction? - correct answer The aim of CBT is to challenge negative thoughts and replace
them with constructive positive thinking that will lead to healthy behaviour. People are often unaware
that they are subject to cognitive errors. The therapist will try to make these maladaptive thoughts
conscious, and then by challenging them, the client will see that there is no basis for these thoughts. CBT
was originally used for depression and is based on Beck's cognitive triad but is now used for many more
illnesses. The three main components of CBT are dysfunctional thought diary, cognitive restructuring,
and pleasant activity scheduling.
As homework... - correct answer As homework, clients are asked to keep a diary of thoughts and feelings
associated with any negative events. This is called a dysfunctional thought diary.
They must pay particular attention... - correct answer They must pay particular attention to any
automatic negative thoughts. The therapist then needs to identify the type of negative thoughts
experienced by the client (e.g. catastrophising, mind reading, over generalising). These thoughts are
believed to be maladaptive and irrational.
For each negative thought... - correct answer For each negative thought the client has to rate how much
they believe it is true from 0-100%. They then give a rational response to this thought and rate their
belief in that. Finally, they rerate their belief in the automatic negative thought. An example of an
automatic negative thought would be that "my teacher hates me because I got an E in my test" with a
belief of 75%. The rational response would be "my teacher does not hate me". In this particular case, the
client is likely to be catastrophising. Catastrophising is thought to be a 'cognitive error', and a person who
catastrophises usually sees an unfavourable outcome to an event.
Therefore, clients are required... - correct answer Therefore, clients are required to keep a dysfunctional
thought diary to record their thoughts.
The cognitive restructuring component... - correct answer The cognitive restructuring component of CBT
involves clients being taught to challenge the automatic negative thoughts that underpin their mental
illness, through the means of Socratic questioning.
