Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a popular form of psychological therapy that works with our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is an integration of principles from behavior therapy with theory and methods from the cognitive therapies developed by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis. The CBT that is practiced today has evolved with new developments in basic and applied research; it is grounded in empirical research and clinical practice. CBT is a broad church: the family of ‘cognitive and behavioral therapies’ encompasses many approaches including cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and compassion-focused therapy (CFT).
Beck’s cognitive model identifies different levels of human cognitions: automatic thoughts are the most superficial level of cognition and describe the thoughts, words, ideas, and images that seem to pop into our minds; rigid and over-generalized core beliefs about ourselves, the world, and other people; and intermediate attitudes, rules, and assumptions that are influenced by our core beliefs. The cognitive model proposes that how we feel emotionally, and how we act, are determined by how we interpret and think about a situation. It argues that psychological problems and disorders are the result of dysfunctional thinking, and are maintained by self-defeating behavior influenced by inaccurate beliefs. Cognitive behavior therapists understand that by changing the way we think and act in the here-and-now we can change the way we feel, and CBT often begins with a focus on what is maintaining a problem in the present. For lasting change, CBT therapists often work with the deeper levels of their client’s beliefs and assumptions. Read more
100 of 288 resources
"Should" Statements
The “Should” Statements information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more e ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/should-statements
Information handouts
ABC Model
ABC is an acronym for Antecedents, Behavior, Consequences. It is used as a tool for the assessment and formulation of problem behaviors and is useful ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/abc-model
Worksheets
Activity Diary (Hourly Time Intervals)
Activity diaries can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom monitoring during therapy, correlating activity wi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/activity-diary-hourly-time-intervals
Worksheets
Activity Diary (No Time Intervals)
Activity diaries can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom monitoring during therapy, correlating activity wi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/activity-diary-no-time-intervals
Worksheets
Activity Menu
Helping clients to choose which activities to target during behavioral activation (BA) can be accomplished in a variety of ways: activity monitoring c ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/activity-menu
Information handouts
Activity Planning
Research suggests that an activity is more likely to be completed if it is planned and scheduled in advance. The Activity Planning worksheet can be us ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/activity-planning
Worksheets
Activity Selection
Activity selection is a technique for rating the difficulty of different activities. It is a helpful tool when clients have difficulty choosing betwee ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/activity-selection
Worksheets
All-Or-Nothing Thinking
All-or-nothing thinking (often also referred to as ‘black and white thinking’, ‘dichotomous thinking’, ‘absolutist thinking’, or ‘binary ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/all-or-nothing-thinking
Information handouts
Alternative Action Formulation
The Alternative Action Formulation is a CBT case conceptualization (formulation) worksheet. Formulations help a client and therapist come to a shared ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/alternative-action-formulation
Worksheets
An Introduction To CBT (Psychology Tools For Living Well)
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help your clients to live happier and more fulfilling lives. Psychology Tools for Living Well is a self-help course ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/an-introduction-to-cbt-psychology-tools-for-living-well
Books & Chapters
Anger - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Anger Decision Sheet
Individuals who have a problem with anger can benefit from considering and rehearsing different responses to triggering situations. The Anger Decision ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-decision-sheet
Exercises
Anger Diary (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Anger – Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived in t ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-diary-archived
Archived
Anger Self-Monitoring Record (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Anger Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-self-monitoring-record-archived
Archived
Anger Thought Challenging Record
Disputing thoughts is a critical skill in cognitive therapy. The Anger Thought Challenging Record helps clients to identify and challenge their angry ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-thought-challenging-record
Worksheets
Anxiety - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anxiety-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the even ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anxiety-self-monitoring-record-archived
Archived
Arbitrary Inference
The Arbitrary Inference information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more effec ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/arbitrary-inference
Information handouts
Assertive Communication
Communicating and acting assertively is an interpersonal skill that helps people to maintain healthy relationships, resolve interpersonal conflict, an ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication
Information handouts
Assertive Responses
Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses
Exercises
Attention - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/attention-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Audio Collection: Psychology Tools For Mindfulness
The Psychology Tools For Mindfulness Audio Collection is the perfect way to introduce your clients to the practice of mindfulness. Developed by a clin ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-mindfulness-audio-collection
Audio
Audio Collection: Psychology Tools For Overcoming PTSD
The Psychology Tools for Overcoming PTSD Audio Collection is designed for anyone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This skills development p ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/psychology-tools-for-overcoming-ptsd-audio-collection
Audio
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) automatically regulates the function of body systems outside of voluntary control. The Autonomic Nervous System han ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/autonomic-nervous-system
Information handouts
Avoidance Hierarchy (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Fear Ladder. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event that they are ava ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/avoidance-hierarchy
Archived
Before I Blame Myself And Feel Guilty
Guilt is a common post-traumatic reaction and is often the result of cognitive bias. This CBT worksheet explores common cognitive biases that have bee ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/before-i-blame-myself-and-feel-guilty
Exercises
Behavioral Activation Activity Diary
Behavioral activation (BA) is an effective treatment for depression. Different behavioral activation protocols include a variety of treatment componen ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-activation-activity-diary
Worksheets
Behavioral Activation Activity Planning Diary
Behavioral activation (BA) is an effective treatment for depression. Different behavioral activation protocols include a variety of treatment componen ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-activation-activity-planning-diary
Worksheets
Behavioral Experiment
Behavioral experiments are planned experiential activities to test the validity of a belief. They are one of the most powerful techniques available to ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment
Worksheets
Behavioral Experiment (Portrait Format)
Behavioral experiments allow individuals to test the validity of their beliefs and assumptions. They are a core experiential technique for therapeutic ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/behavioral-experiment-portrait-format
Worksheets
Belief Driven Formulation
Cognitive behavioral theory proposes that our thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the here-and-now are influenced by our schemas / core beliefs / assu ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/belief-driven-formulation
Worksheets
Belief-O-Meter (CYP)
The Belief-O-Meter is an engaging way of helping children and adolescents to relate to their thoughts differently. It is a form of cognitive restructu ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/belief-o-meter-cyp
Worksheets
Boundaries - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/boundaries-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Catastrophizing
The Catastrophizing information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series. It is designed to help clients and therapists to work more eff ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/catastrophizing
Information handouts
Catching Your Thoughts (CYP)
Before thoughts can be examined or challenged they must be ‘caught’ – they must be noticed and distinguished from events and feelings. The Catch ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/catching-your-thoughts-cyp
Worksheets
CBT Appraisal Model
The CBT Appraisal Model worksheet is a transdiagnostic formulation tool. The centrality of appraisals underpins all of the disorder-specific cognitive ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cbt-appraisal-model
Worksheets
CBT Daily Activity Diary With Enjoyment And Mastery Ratings
Activity diaries can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom monitoring during therapy, correlating activity wi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cbt-daily-activity-diary-e-m
Worksheets
CBT Thought Record Portrait
The CBT Thought Record is an essential tool in cognitive behavioral therapy. Thought challenging records help people to evaluate their negative automa ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cbt-thought-record-portrait
Worksheets
Challenging Your Negative Thinking (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts. Older versions of a resource may be archived in ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/challenging-your-negative-thinking
Archived
Checking Certainty And Doubt
Psychologists have discovered interesting relationships between Checking, Certainty, And Doubt. This information handout contains an exercise helpful ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/checking-certainty-and-doubt
Information handouts
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is a process by which stimuli become associated with responses. This information handout describes key principles of Classical ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/classical-conditioning
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Anorexia Nervosa (Fairburn, Cooper, Shafran, 2003)
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restriction of energy intake and intense fear of gaining weight. For women, the lifetime preva ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-anorexia-nervosa-fairburn-cooper-shafran-2003
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD: Veale, 2004)
Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) experience distress associated with their body image. The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Body Dysmorphi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd-veale-2004
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Bulimia Nervosa (Fairburn, Cooper, Shafran, 2003)
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging. Among young women, the point prevalence of bulimia is about 1 ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-bulimia-nervosa-fairburn-cooper-shafran-2003
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Clinical Perfectionism (Shafran, Cooper, Fairburn, 2002)
People with perfectionism pursue high standards in one or more areas of their life and base their self-worth on their ability to achieve these standar ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-clinical-perfectionism-shafran-cooper-fairburn-2002
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Depersonalization (Hunter, Phillips, Chalder, Sierra, David, 2003)
Depersonalization is an experience where an individual feels a sense of detachment from themselves, or estrangement from their perceptions, actions, a ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-depersonalization-hunter-phillips-chalder-sierra-david-2003
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Fear Of Body Sensations
Fear of bodily sensations is present in a number of conditions, most notably panic disorder. The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Fear Of Bodily Sensatio ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-fear-of-body-sensations
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD: Dugas, Gagnon, Ladouceur, Freeston, 1998)
Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) report significant worry which they find difficult to control and experience as distressing. Numer ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad-dugas-gagnon-ladouceur-freeston-1998
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Health Anxiety (Salkovskis, Warwick, Deale, 2003)
Health anxiety is characterized by a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, and a high level of anxiety about health. People with h ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-health-anxiety-salkovskis-warwick-deale-2003
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Insomnia (Harvey, 2002)
Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or having non-restorative sleep for at leas ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-insomnia-harvey-2002
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty (Hebert, Dugas, 2019)
Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been defined as “an underlying fear of the unknown”. Intolerance of uncertainty is a risk factor for the deve ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-intolerance-of-uncertainty-hebert-dugas-2019
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Low Self-Esteem (Fennell, 1997)
Low self-esteem is characterized as a negative sense of the self and co-occurs with many other mental health problems. Although not formally represent ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-low-self-esteem-fennell-1997
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD: Salkovskis, Forrester, Richards, 1998)
The essential insight of the cognitive behavioral model of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is that it is the client’s interpretation of the intr ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-salkovskis-forrester-richards-1998
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic (Clark, 1986)
The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Panic identifies catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations as a criticial maintenance factor which serves to ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-panic-clark-1986
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model of Perfectionism (Shafran, Egan, Wade, 2010)
People with perfectionism pursue high standards in one or more areas of their life, and base their self-worth on their ability to achieve these standa ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-perfectionism-shafran-egan-wade-2010
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD: Whalley, Cane, 2017)
Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a form of dizziness which is thought to be maintained by psychological factors. ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-persistent-postural-perceptual-dizziness-pppd-whalley-cane-2017
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD: Ehlers & Clark, 2000)
Anke Ehlers' & David Clark's Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an influential account of the condition. The ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-ehlers-clark-2000
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Social Phobia (Clark, Wells, 1995)
People suffering from social anxiety disorder (previously known as social phobia) experience persistent fear or anxiety concerning social or performan ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-social-phobia-clark-wells-1995
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of The Relapse Process (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985)
Marlatt & Gordon’s cognitive behavioral model of relapse (1985) conceptualizes relapse as a “transitional process, a series of events that unf ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioural-model-of-the-relapse-process-marlatt-gordon-1985
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Tinnitus (McKenna, Handscombe, Hoare, Hall, 2014)
The Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Tinnitus identifies cognitive, behavioral, and perceptual changes which operate to maintain tinnitus perception and ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-tinnitus-mckenna-handscombe-hoare-hall-2014
Information handouts
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Of Childhood OCD: It's Only A False Alarm: Therapist Guide
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Of Childhood OCD: It’s Only A False Alarm comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the fo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-treatment-of-childhood-ocd-its-only-a-false-alarm-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Childhood OCD: It's Only a False Alarm: Workbook
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Of Childhood OCD: It’s Only A False Alarm comes in two volumes. This page is for the Workbook. Click on the following ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-treatment-of-childhood-ocd-its-only-a-false-alarm-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Cognitive Case Formulation
A CBT case conceptualization tool to help therapists derive core beliefs from an analysis of current events. ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-case-formulation
Worksheets
Compassionate Thought Challenging Record
Thought challenging records are commonly used in CBT to help people to evaluate their negative automatic thoughts for accuracy and bias. This Compassi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/compassionate-thought-challenging-record
Worksheets
Core Belief Magnet Metaphor
Core beliefs (schemas) are self-sustaining. They act to 'attract' confirmatory evidence and 'repel' (or distort) disconfirmatory evidence. This inform ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/core-belief-magnet-metaphor
Information handouts
Court Trial Thought Challenging Record (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Thought Record - Courtroom Trial. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the ev ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/court-trial-thought-challenging-record
Archived
Critical Care And PTSD
The Critical Care And PTSD information handout is designed to help clients to learn about the properties of critical care that can increase the likeli ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/critical-care-and-ptsd
Information handouts
Critical Illness Intensive Care And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
This is a free guide designed for people who have spent time in an intensive care unit and are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/critical-illness-intensive-care-and-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
Guides
Cross Sectional Formulation
Case conceptualizations (formulations) help therapists and clients come to a shared understanding of a problem. This Cross Sectional Formulation explo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cross-sectional-formulation
Worksheets
Daily Monitoring Form
Activity diaries can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom monitoring during therapy, correlating activity wi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/daily-monitoring-form
Worksheets
Decatastrophizing
Catastrophic thinking (magnification) is characteristic of many anxiety problems. This CBT worksheet for decatastrophizing is a tool for cognitive res ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/decatastrophizing
Exercises
Demanding Standards – Living Well With Your Personal Rules
Demanding Standards – Living Well With Your Personal Rules is a guide written for clients who have high or perfectionistic standards which cause th ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/demanding-standards-living-well-with-your-personal-rules
Guides
Depression - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/depression-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Discounting In Perfectionism – The Ratchet Effect
When individuals with perfectionism successfully meet their demanding standards, these accomplishments are often discounted as “easy to do,” “no ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/discounting-in-perfectionism-the-ratchet-effect
Information handouts
Disqualifying Others
This Disqualifying Others information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more eff ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/disqualifying-others
Information handouts
Disqualifying The Positive
This Disqualifying the Positive information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists work more ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/disqualifying-the-positive
Information handouts
Dissociation - Self-Monitoring Record
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/dissociation-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Embracing Uncertainty
Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was first described in individuals suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Many behaviors associated with G ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/embracing-uncertainty
Exercises
Emotional Reasoning
The Emotional Reasoning information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more effec ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emotional-reasoning
Information handouts
Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts
The Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts guide is written for clients who struggle with negative automatic thoughts. It provides a comprehensive in ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/evaluating-unhelpful-automatic-thoughts
Guides
Evaluating Your Demanding Standards
Striving to meet demanding standards can be a rewarding process and lead to significant gains. However, demanding standards can also have adverse cons ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/evaluating-your-demanding-standards
Worksheets
Exploring Problems Using A Cross Sectional Model
A cross-sectional formulation takes a ‘snapshot’ of what is going on during a single moment in time. The Exploring Problems Using A Cross-Sectiona ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exploring-problems-using-a-cross-sectional-model
Worksheets
Exposure And Response (Ritual) Prevention For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Therapist Guide
Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the f ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-and-response-ritual-prevention-for-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Exposure And Response Prevention
Exposure And Response Prevention (ERP, EX/RP) is an effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This CBT worksheet guides therapists ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-and-response-prevention
Exercises
Exposure Practice Form
Exposure is an effective treatment for many forms of anxiety. The Exposure Practice Form is a CBT worksheet which guides therapists and clients throug ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-practice-form
Exercises
Exposure Session Record
The Exposure Session Record is a tool for recording clients’ use of exposure. The worksheet guides clients to identify a specific fear they are will ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-session-record
Worksheets
Exposures For Fear Of Appearing Anxious
Concerns about appearing anxious in front of others plays a central role in social anxiety. Exposure is an effective treatment for tackling these fear ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-appearing-anxious
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Body Sensations
Fearful responses to physical sensations are common in several disorders. Interoceptive exposure (or ‘symptom induction’) is an effective treatmen ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-body-sensations
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Breathlessness
Fearful responses to benign physical sensations such as breathlessness are common in several disorders, most notably panic disorder (with and without ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-breathlessness
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Death
Fear of death is common, and is associated with a variety of psychological disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorde ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-death
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Flying
Fear of flying is a very common fear, affecting up to 18% of individuals, and is characterized by intense and persistent fear during, or in anticipati ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-flying
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Heights
Fear of heights is a very common fear, characterized by an avoidance of high places including staircases, tall buildings, and bridges. Exposure is an ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-heights
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Illness
Fear of illness is a common and persistent fear that can result in significant functional impairment. Exposure is an effective treatment for health-re ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-illness
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Losing Control Of Your Mind
Fearful responses to benign physical sensations are common in several disorders, and interoceptive exposure (or ‘symptom induction’) is an effecti ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-losing-control-of-your-mind
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Uncertainty
Fear of uncertainty is commonly associated with many psychological difficulties, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive di ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-uncertainty
Information handouts
Exposures For Fear Of Vomiting
Fear of vomiting is a chronic and distressing difficulty that is associated with significant impairment. Exposure is an effective treatment for addres ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-fear-of-vomiting
Information handouts
Exposures For Trauma
Avoidance is a common feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which exposure is an effective treatment. Clients sometimes find it diffic ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposures-for-trauma
Information handouts
Externalizing
The Externalizing information handout forms part of the cognitive distortions series, designed to help clients and therapists to work more effectively ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/externalizing
Information handouts
Facing Your Fears (CYP)
Graded or graduated exposure is a traditional way of overcoming fears and phobias. The therapist helps the client to draw up a list of feared situatio ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/facing-your-fears-cyp
Exercises
Facing Your Fears And Phobias
The Facing Your Fears And Phobias guide is written for clients who struggle with fears or phobias. It provides comprehensive information about what fe ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/facing-your-fears-and-phobias
Guides
Assessment
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) download archived copy
- Montgomery & Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) download archived copy
- Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (Social Anxiety) download archived copy
- Bern Inventory of Treatment Goals download archived copy
Cognitive therapy competence / adherence measures
- Assessment of Core CBT Skills (ACCS) – Muse, McManus, Rakovshik, Kennerley
- Website accs-scale.co.uk
- Manual accs-scale.co.uk
- Feedback form accs-scale.co.uk
- Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS) – Young & Beck
- Scale download archived copy
- Manual download
- Revised Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS-R) – James, Blackburn, Reichelt
- Scale download archived copy
- Manual download archived copy
Case Conceptualization / Case Formulation
- The case formulation approach to cognitive behavior therapy | Jacqueline Persons | 2014 download archived copy
- A case formulation approach to cognitive-behavior therapy | Jacqueline Persons | 2015 download archived copy
- Case formulation in CBT | Caleb Lack download archived copy
- Developing a cognitive formulation | Michael Free download archived copy
- Dysfunctional assumptions ideas download archived copy
- CBT case formulation video | Jacqueline Persons youtube
Presentations
- Making CBT Work (Working with your CBT therapist / Making your CBT therapist work with you) | Paul Salkovskis
downloadarchived copy - The unified protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders | Ellen Frank, Fiona Ritchey | 2015 download archived copy
- Transdiagnostic treatments for anxiety disorders | Martin Anthony | 2013 download archived copy
- A case formulation approach to cognitive-behavior therapy | Jacqueline Persons | 2015 download archived copy
- The role of a case conceptualization model and core tasks of intervention | Donald Miechenbaum | 2014 download archived copy
Recommended Reading
- Arch, J. J., & Craske, M. G. (2009). First-line treatment: a critical appraisal of cognitive behavioral therapy developments and alternatives. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32(3), 525-547
downloadarchived copy - Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses. Cognitive therapy and research, 36(5), 427-440 download
- Padesky, C. A., Mooney, K. A. (1990). Clinical tip: presenting the cognitive model to clients. International Cognitive Therapy Newsletter, 6, 13-14 download archived copy
- A therapists’ guide to brief cognitive behavioral therapy by Cully & Teten download
This series of articles are good introduction to the basics of CBT. The authors have gone on to sell a branded form of CBT using some of these metaphors / explanation but the messages apply equally to generic CBT.
- Williams, C., & Garland, A. (2002). A cognitive–behavioural therapy assessment model for use in everyday clinical practice. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8(3), 172-179. download
- Garland, A., Fox, R., & Williams, C. (2002). Overcoming reduced activity and avoidance: a Five Areas approach. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8(6), 453-462. download
- Williams, C., & Garland, A. (2002). Identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8(5), 377-386. download
- Wright, B., Williams, C., & Garland, A. (2002). Using the Five Areas cognitive–behavioural therapy model with psychiatric patients. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8(4), 307-315. download
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Assumptions of CBT
- people actively process information;
- our appraisals (the way that we think and interpret events) determine how we feel;
- dysfunctional thinking and biases in information processing (cognition/thinking) are responsible for the problems that people experience;
- different problems are associated with different cognitive themes (cognitive specificity theory): depression is associated with loss and defeat; anxiety is associated with danger and threat; obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with inflated responsibility; substance abuse is associated with permissive beliefs; eating disorders are associated with self-criticism; social anxiety is associated with fear of evaluation; and PTSD is associated with appraisals of immediate threat;
- the thoughts that we have can be ‘distorted’ or biased. Common biases include over-generalization, arbitrary inference, selective abstraction, and catastrophizing;
- changing how we think and act will impact how we feel: cognition, emotion, and behavior interact in a reciprocal manner;
- psychopathology is a result of an interaction between stress and vulnerability;
- cognition happens at multiple levels (Alford & Beck, 1997) and all can influence the way that we feel and behave: preconscious, unintentional, automatic (e.g., negative automatic thoughts); the conscious level (e.g., if a patient is asked to explain the meaning of an automatic thought); and the metacognitive level (beliefs about beliefs);
- experiences, memories, thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs are encapsulated as ‘schemas’ and which may become activated and influence our perceptions and behaviors.
Principles of CBT
Judith Beck (1995) identified 11 principles of the practice of cognitive behavioral therapy, and these were expanded by Wills (2009):
- cognitive behavioral therapists use formulation to focus their therapeutic work
- cognitive behavioral therapists use formulation to tackle interpersonal and alliance issues
- cognitive behavioral therapy requires a sound therapeutic relationship
- cognitive behavioral therapists stress the importance of collaboration in the therapeutic relationship
- cognitive behavioral therapy is brief and time-limited
- cognitive behavioral therapy is structured and directional
- cognitive behavioral therapy is problem- and goal-oriented
- cognitive behavioral therapy initially emphasizes a focus on the present
- cognitive behavioral therapy uses an educational model
- homework and self-practice is a central feature of cognitive behavioral therapy (incorporating the use of CBT worksheets)
- cognitive behavioral therapists teach clients to evaluate and modify their thoughts
- cognitive behavioral therapy uses various methods to change cognitive content including thought records, behavioral experiments, surveys
- cognitive behavior therapy uses a variety of methods to promote behavioral change including exposure, behavioral experiments, role-play.
Procedures and Techniques of CBT
- Data gathering and symptom monitoring are used to understand problems and to measure change. CBT is an evidence-based approach that relies upon accurate data gathering regarding symptoms and experiences.
- Behavioral activation is a set of techniques for encouraging engagement in meaningful activity and is an effective treatment for depression.
- Case formulation is a method for understanding the origin and maintenance of a problem in cognitive and behavioral terms. CBT therapists may use a mixture of cross-sectional formulation to understand difficulties in the here-and-now, longitudinal formulation to understand the origins and precipitants of a problem, and cognitive behavioral models to understand the mechanisms underlying a problem.
- Cognitive restructuring describes techniques for changing what we think. It often involves the use of thought records, behavioral experiments, data gathering, or psychoeducation.
- Exposure is a technique from behavior therapy that is extensively used by CBT therapists, particularly for the treatment of anxiety. ‘Facing your fears’ is an essential behavioral component of CBT.
- Problem solving describes a series of techniques that are often taught as part of a CBT intervention. Effective problem solving helps people to make adaptive choices.
- Socratic methods are used by CBT therapists to help their clients explore what they know, and to form their own opinions on a topic. Aaron Beck encouraged the use of Socratic-like technique in his original treatment manual “use questioning rather than disputation and indoctrination … it is important to try to elicit from the patient what he is thinking rather than telling the patient what the therapist believes he is thinking” (Beck et al, 1979).
References
- Alford, B. A., & Beck, A. T. (1997). The relation of psychotherapy integration to the established systems of psychotherapy. Journal of psychotherapy integration, 7(4), 275-289.
- Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.
- Beck, J. S. (1995). Cognitive therapy: Basics and beyond. New York: Guilford.
- Wills, F. (2009). Beck’s cognitive therapy. CBT Distinctive Features Series. New York: Routledge.