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.
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Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles
Interpersonal issues and relationship problems form an important part of what clients bring to therapy: they might present as clients’ current conce ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interpersonal-beliefs-and-styles
Worksheets
Intolerance Of Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a normal part of life – we can never be 100% sure about what will happen next. Many people feel good about uncertainty and live lives ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intolerance-of-uncertainty
Information handouts
Intrusion Record
What differentiates intrusive congitions in OCD is the meaning that clients with OCD attach to them. The Intrusion Record is a CBT worksheet for captu ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusion-record
Worksheets
Intrusive Memory Record
Intrusive (unwanted, involuntary) memories are a common feature of PTSD, but also depression and other conditions. This Intrusive Memory Record is des ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-memory-record
Worksheets
Intrusive Thoughts Images And Impulses
Intrusive Thoughts, Images, And Impulses that are experienced as distressing are a feature of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). They are also a com ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-thoughts-images-and-impulses
Exercises
Lapse And Relapse Management
Recovery has a fluctuating course and so Lapse And Relapse Management is necessary when learning any new skill. It is applicable to most CBT work, as ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/lapse-and-relapse-management
Worksheets
Longitudinal Formulation 1
Case conceptualizations (formulations) help therapists and clients come to a shared understanding of a problem. This case formulation worksheet is a t ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/longitudinal-formulation-1
Worksheets
Longitudinal Formulation 2
Case conceptualizations (formulations) help therapists and clients come to a shared understanding of a problem. This longitudinal case formulation wor ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/longitudinal-formulation-2
Worksheets
Low Self-Esteem - 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/low-self-esteem-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Low Self-Esteem Formulation
Fennell’s cognitive behavioral model of low self-esteem proposes that negative beliefs about the self are maintained by biased information processin ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/low-self-esteem-formulation
Worksheets
Managing Social Anxiety: Therapist Guide
Managing Social Anxiety – A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/managing-social-anxiety-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Managing Social Anxiety: Workbook
Managing Social Anxiety – A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach comes in two volumes. This page is for the Workbook. Click on the following link t ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/managing-social-anxiety-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Managing Substance Use Disorder: Practitioner Guide
Managing Substance Use Disorder comes in two volumes. This page is for the Practitioner Guide. Click on the following link to access the Workbook.&nbs ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/managing-substance-use-disorder-practitioner-guide
Treatments That Work®
Managing Your Substance Use Disorder: Workbook
Managing Substance Use Disorder comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the following link to access the Practitioner Gui ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/managing-your-substance-use-disorder-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Mastery And Pleasure Activity Diary
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/mastery-and-pleasure-activity-diary
Worksheets
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Panic: Therapist Guide
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Panic comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to access the accompanying C ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/mastery-of-your-anxiety-and-panic-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Panic: Workbook
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Panic comes in two volumes. This page is for the Workbook. Click on the following link to access the accompanying Therapis ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/mastery-of-your-anxiety-and-panic-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Worry: Therapist Guide
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Worry comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to access the accompanying W ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/mastery-of-your-anxiety-and-worry-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Worry: Workbook
Mastery Of Your Anxiety And Worry comes in two volumes. This page is for the Workbook. Click on the following link to access the accompanying Therapis ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/mastery-of-your-anxiety-and-worry-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Exposure Therapy
Despite its position as the leading treatment technique for anxiety disorders, not all clients respond to exposure therapy and some individuals relaps ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/maximizing-the-effectiveness-of-exposure-therapy
Information handouts
Meaning In Tinnitus
The psychological approach to tinnitus proposes that it is the meaning attached to perceptions which gives rise to distress - this is similar to the a ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/meaning-in-tinnitus
Exercises
Modifying Rules And Assumptions
Assumptions are often considered dysfunctional if they are inflexible, rigid, or lead to counterproductive behaviors. Modifying Rules And Assumptions ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/modifying-rules-and-assumptions
Worksheets
Negative Thoughts - 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/negative-thoughts-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Nightmare Exposure And Rescripting
Imagery rescripting is an effective treatment for intrusive and unwanted memories. Nightmare Exposure And Rescripting employs similar techniques and c ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/nightmare-exposure-and-rescripting
Exercises
Nightmare Rescripting (Audio)
Nightmare rescripting is an evidence based treatment for nightmares, with medium to large effect sizes on nightmare frequency, distress, intensity, an ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/nightmare-rescripting-audio
Audio
OCD Diary
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings and symptoms is an essential skill for clients engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Clients will find ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/ocd-diary
Worksheets
OCD Hierarchy
Part of traditional CBT treatment for OCD is exposure to situations which trigger obsessions (classically accompanied by the prevention of the associa ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/ocd-hierarchy
Exercises
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning / instrumental learning is a mechanism by which behaviors can be strengthened or weakened over time. This information handout des ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/operant-conditioning
Information handouts
Overcoming Depression: Therapist Guide
Overcoming Depression – A Cognitive Therapy Approach comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to acce ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-depression-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Overcoming Depression: Workbook
Overcoming Depression – A Cognitive Therapy Approach comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the following link to acce ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-depression-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Overcoming Eating Disorders: Therapist Guide
Overcoming Eating Disorders comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to access the Client Workbook.&nbs ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-eating-disorders-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Overcoming Insomnia: Therapist Guide
Overcoming Insomnia comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to access the Client Workbook. It is ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-insomnia-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Overcoming Insomnia: Workbook
Overcoming Insomnia comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the following link to access the accompanying Therapist Guide ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-insomnia-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Overcoming Your Eating Disorder: Workbook
Overcoming Eating Disorders comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the following link to access the accompanying Therapi ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overcoming-your-eating-disorder-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Overview Of CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental and physical health conditions. This information handout des ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/overview-of-cbt
Information handouts
Pain Activity Diary
Activity diaries are a crucial information-gathering tool. They can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom mon ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/pain-activity-diary
Worksheets
Panic - 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/panic-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Panic Attack Progress Record
Recovery often has a fluctuating course and it is important to monitor progress in cognitive behavioral therapy. Clients can use the Panic Attack Prog ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/panic-attack-progress-record
Worksheets
Panic Attack Record Form
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings and symptoms is an essential skill for clients engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The Panic Attack R ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/panic-attack-record-form
Worksheets
Panic Diary
The Panic Diary is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) diary for panic symptoms. Clients can record panic attack frequency along with information abo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/panic-diary
Worksheets
Panic Formulation
The aim of a formulation is to help the client and therapist to come to a shared understanding of what a client is experiencing. The Panic Formulation ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/panic-formulation
Worksheets
Panic Symptom Tracker
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and symptoms is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This symptom tracker helps clients to ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/panic-symptom-tracker
Worksheets
Perfectionism 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/perfectionism-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Perspective-Taking
Cognitive restructuring techniques in CBT teach clients ways of analyzing situations in ways that might initially be unfamiliar. A simple way of intro ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/perspective-taking
Worksheets
Pie Charts
A common cognitive bias is to take an egocentric approach to events. When applied to negative events this can result in an exaggerated sense of respon ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/pie-charts
Exercises
Play The Script Till The End
Fears and worries can operate at different levels. Underlying one fear (e.g. "he won't turn up") can be deeper fears (e.g. "nobody will ever love me") ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/play-the-script-till-the-end
Exercises
Positive Belief Record
Some cognitive change can happen quickly - for example challenging negative automatic thoughts. Other cognitive structures such as schemas are more de ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/positive-belief-record
Worksheets
Problem Solving
Problem Solving is a structured worksheet which encourages solution-focused thinking. Clients are encouraged to identify a problem, identify multiple ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/problem-solving
Exercises
Problem Solving (CYP)
Effective problem solving is an essential life skill and this Problem Solving worksheet is designed to guide children and adolescents through steps wh ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/problem-solving-cyp
Exercises
Process Focused Case Formulation
The Process-Focused Case Formulation encourages clinicians to make hypotheses regarding mechanisms or processes which they believe may be maintainin ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/process-focused-case-formulation
Worksheets
Prolonged Exposure Therapy For PTSD: Therapist Guide
Prolonged Exposure Therapy For PTSD comes in two volumes. This page is for the Therapist Guide. Click on the following link to access the accompanying ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/prolonged-exposure-therapy-for-ptsd-therapist-guide
Treatments That Work®
Prompts For Challenging Negative Thinking
The CBT model proposes that how we think affects the way we feel. Challenging our unhelpful thoughts (cognitive restructuring) is an essential skill w ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/prompts-for-challenging-negative-thinking
Exercises
PTSD And Memory
Alterations in the way the brain processes 'normal' vs. 'traumatic' material are thought to be responsible for the intrusive nature of memories in con ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/ptsd-and-memory
Information handouts
PTSD Formulation
This PTSD Formulation is designed for use in trauma-focused cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD): an empirically supported treatment for Post-Traumati ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/ptsd-formulation
Worksheets
Putting It All Together (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/putting-it-all-together-psychology-tools-for-living-well
Books & Chapters
Reciprocal CBT Formulation
CBT therapists often describe finding it difficult to apply CBT skills when clients bring relational problems to therapy. Familiar methods of visu ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/reciprocal-cbt-formulation
Worksheets
Reclaiming Your Life From A Traumatic Experience: Workbook
Prolonged Exposure Therapy For PTSD comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the following link to access the accompanying ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/reclaiming-your-life-from-a-traumatic-experience-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Rumination - 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/rumination-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Rumination Diary (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Rumination – Self-Monitoring Record. Older versions of a resource may be archived ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/rumination-diary-archived
Archived
Safety Behaviors
Safety behaviors are actions carried out with the intention of preventing a feared catastrophe. In the short-term they often give a sense of relief, b ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/safety-behaviors
Information handouts
Safety Behaviors Example
Safety behaviors are actions carried out with the intention of preventing a feared catastrophe. In the short-term they often give a sense of relief, b ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/safety-behaviors-example
Information handouts
Safety Plan
The collaborative development of a safety plan is a brief psychosocial intervention for suicidal patients. The intent of a safety plan is to help ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/safety-plan
Exercises
Schema Bias
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/schema-bias
Information handouts
Schema Formulation
Beck's cognitive model proposes that cognition and perception in the here-and-now is influenced by our 'schemas' which shape our perception and inform ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/schema-formulation
Worksheets
Schema Metaphors
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/schema-metaphors
Information handouts
Self Critical Thought Challenging Record
Disputing thoughts is a critical skill in cognitive therapy. The Self-Critical Thought Challenging Record helps clients to identify and challenge thei ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/self-critical-thought-challenging-record
Worksheets
Self Practice Record Form
Out-of-session work (collaboratively generated and negotiated) is an essential component of effective CBT. This Self Practice Record Form helps client ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/self-practice-record-form
Worksheets
Self-Criticism - 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/self-criticism-self-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Self-Monitoring Record (Universal)
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/self-monitoring-record-universal
Worksheets
Simple Thought Challenging Record
Disputing thoughts is a critical skill in cognitive therapy. The Simple Thought Challenging Record encourages clients to identify alternative perspect ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/simple-thought-challenging-record
Worksheets
Simple Thought Record
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and symptoms is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This Simple Thought Record is an exce ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/simple-thought-record
Worksheets
Sleep Restriction
Sleep restriction is behavioral intervention used in the treatment of insomnia. It is an evidence based treatment for insomnia, both as a standalone t ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/sleep-restriction
Exercises
Social Anxiety Formulation
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/social-anxiety-formulation
Worksheets
Stages Of Social Anxiety
Stages of Social Anxiety is a CBT worksheet to explore maintaining factors with a client and then to explore possible treatment strategies. ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/stages-of-social-anxiety
Worksheets
Stimulus Discrimination
Stimulus discrimination is a component of cognitive behavioral treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clients are guided to deliberately ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/stimulus-discrimination
Exercises
Stimulus Discrimination (Audio)
Stimulus Discrimination is designed to help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to ‘retrain their brain’ in order to attend automat ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/stimulus-discrimination-audio
Audio
Supervision Preparation
A common CBT approach to supervision is to frame discussion around a supervisee's question. This worksheet can guide supervisee's reflections around w ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/supervision-preparation
Exercises
Symptom Tracker
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and symptoms is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This generic symptom tracker helps cl ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/symptom-tracker
Worksheets
Theory A / Theory B
Human beings actively try to understand their world and what happens to them. However, these understanding can be inaccurate or unhelpful. Worse, unhe ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/theorya-theoryb
Worksheets
Theory A / Theory B (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Theory A / Theory B . Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event that the ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/theorya-theoryb-edition-1
Archived
Therapy Blueprint
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Therapy Blueprint (Universal). Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint
Archived
Therapy Blueprint (Universal)
A therapy blueprint is CBT tool which summarizes the work a therapist and patient have completed together. It represents the past (the problems, what ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint-universal
Worksheets
Therapy Blueprint For OCD
A therapy blueprint represents the past (the problems, what maintained them), the present (the therapy itself, new knowledge learned and skills develo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint-for-ocd
Worksheets
Therapy Blueprint For PTSD
A therapy blueprint represents the past (the problems, what maintained them), the present (the therapy itself, new knowledge learned and skills develo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint-for-ptsd
Worksheets
Therapy Blueprint For Social Anxiety
A therapy blueprint represents the past (the problems, what maintained them), the present (the therapy itself, new knowledge learned and skills develo ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/therapy-blueprint-for-social-anxiety
Worksheets
Thought Distortion Monitoring Record
Thinking is often biased in particular ways and individuals often have their own characteristic patterns of bias. The Thought Distortion Monitoring Re ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-distortion-monitoring-record
Worksheets
Thought Record – Courtroom Trial
Thought records are commonly used in CBT to help people to evaluate their negative automatic thoughts for accuracy and bias. The Thought Record – Co ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-record-courtroom-trial
Worksheets
Thought Record (Considered Response)
Thought records exist in multiple variants, depending on the needs and abilities of the client. This Thought Record (Considered Response) is a cogniti ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-record-considered-response
Worksheets
Thought Record (Evidence For And Against)
CBT Thought Records exist in multiple variants, depending on the needs and abilities of the client. This Thought Record (Evidence For And Against) is ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thought-record-evidence-for-and-against
Worksheets
Thoughts Or Feelings
Differentiating between thoughts and feelings (emotions and body sensations) is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Thoughts Or ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thoughts-or-feelings
Exercises
Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Eating Disorders (Fairburn, Cooper, Shafran, 2003)
Fairburn, Cooper & Shafran (2003) argue that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia share common maintenance mechanisms despite difference ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/transdiagnostic-cognitive-behavioral-model-of-eating-disorders-fairburn-cooper-shafran-2003
Information handouts
TRAP TRAC
TRAP & TRAC worksheets can be usefully used as part of a behavioral activation programme as a way of overcoming responses which result in avoidanc ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/trap-trac
Exercises
Trauma And Dissociation
Trauma and Dissociation is a guide written for clients who have experienced trauma and who are troubled by dissociation. It provides clear informatio ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/trauma-and-dissociation
Guides
Trauma, Dissociation, And Grounding (Archived)
NOTE: An improved version of this resource is available here: Trauma And Dissociation. Older versions of a resource may be archived in the event that ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/trauma-dissociation-and-grounding
Archived
Treating Your OCD With Exposure And Response (Ritual) Prevention: Workbook
Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for Obessssive-Compulsive Disorder comes in two volumes. This page is for the Client Workbook. Click on the ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/treating-your-ocd-with-exposure-and-response-ritual-prevention-workbook
Treatments That Work®
Uncertainty Beliefs – Experiment Record
Situations which are uncertain, novel, or ambiguous trigger a state of uncertainty. Evidence indicates that individuals who are dispositionally high i ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/uncertainty-beliefs-experiment-record
Worksheets
Understanding Anorexia
Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are co ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/understanding-anorexia
Guides
Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are co ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/understanding-body-dysmorphic-disorder
Guides
Understanding Bulimia
Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are co ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/understanding-bulimia
Guides
Understanding Burnout
Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are co ...
https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/understanding-burnout
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.