Let’s explore what cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is, the Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, its background, and learn about its founder, Aaron T. Beck. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is based on modifying an individual’s thoughts and beliefs, which in turn significantly impacts their emotions and behaviors. Understanding the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy will aid in your psychological growth.
1. Aaron T. Beck – Founder of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Aaron Beck is a professionally trained psychoanalyst (Freudian psychoanalysis) who was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He began to question the scientific validity of psychoanalytic theories in the late 1950s.
His experiments to test these psychoanalytic theories led to different results for depression. Traditionally, depression was viewed in psychoanalytic therapy as stemming from repressed anger and childhood conflicts.
However, Beck discovered that depression was largely due to distorted negative cognition (primarily thoughts and beliefs), and he developed a short-term therapy aimed at reality testing these depressive thoughts, which became known as cognitive therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as a form of psychotherapy, might be of interest if you’re curious about the broader concept of psychotherapy. For related information, see the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy below!
2. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a combination of cognitive therapy (changing thoughts to influence emotions and behaviors) and behavioral therapy (modifying behaviors to reinforce beneficial actions).
Cognitive therapy was established in the 1960s and integrated with behavior therapy techniques in the 1980s, evolving into the theory of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Aaron Beck found that patients with depression shared similar patterns of belief, and hypothesized that changing these beliefs could change behaviors.
Initially, he designed structured, short-term, and present-focused psychotherapy for depression, aimed at resolving current problems and modifying dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors.
Subsequently, Beck and his colleagues successfully applied this therapy to a variety of psychiatric disorders and problems, establishing it as one of the most effective evidence-based psychotherapies based on cognitive theory.
Several other therapies have developed based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (1962), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (1993), Problem-solving Therapy (2006), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (2004), Confrontation Therapy (1998), Cognitive Processing Therapy (1993), Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (1999), Behavioral Activation (1980, 2001), and Cognitive Modification (1997).
3. Background of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Like psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy has sprouted from various philosophical thoughts. Let’s look at two prominent philosophical thoughts.
The first is from Epictetus, a philosopher and member of the Stoic school around 100 BC, who said that it’s not external things that define a person, but rather one’s internal frame of discernment (Prohairesis).
The second is from Wonhyo, a monk from the Unified Silla period around 600 AD in Korea, who paradoxically stated that everything is created by the mind, echoing the Buddhist concept of “all is created by the mind.”
Ultimately, principles of cognitive behavioral therapy is about changing the thoughts and perspectives that arise in one’s mind, which influence one’s emotions and actions, and adjusting behaviors accordingly.
4. Target of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Initially targeting patients with depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy has evolved to be effective for a wide range of psychiatric disorders.
Today, it is applied not only to mood disorders but also to anxiety disorders, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, eating disorders, personality disorders, and more.
It is also applied to patients with psychosis, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, often in conjunction with medication, showing therapeutic effectiveness.
5. Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Let’s delve into the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. The principles of CBT involve making clients aware of their negative cognition and emotions and modifying them towards more helpful cognition.
1) Principles of cognitive behavioral therapy1 – Learning the Cognitive Model
The cognitive model, core to cognitive-behavioral therapy, illustrates automatic thoughts (spontaneous thoughts in certain situations), the core beliefs underlying those thoughts, associated emotions and physiological responses, and behaviors.Learning the cognitive model starts with recognizing how one thinks and interprets situations, the emotions and behaviors that follow, and identifying one’s automatic thoughts and core beliefs. By modifying these core beliefs, one can change the intensity of thoughts or emotions.
2) Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy2 – Self-therapy by the Client
A key principle of cognitive-behavioral therapy is turning the client into a self-therapist. Participants in CBT actively assess and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs, striving to change them.Through CBT, clients learn techniques and ways to self-treat, gaining understanding and skills to manage their psychological state.
3) Principles of cognitive behavioral therapy3 – Focus on Resolving Current Problems
A characteristic of cognitive-behavioral therapy is its short-term and problem-focused approach, unlike the Freudian psychoanalysis that emphasized self-exploration over solving current issues.Aaron Beck felt the need for a more efficient and structured therapy, orienting cognitive-behavioral therapy towards resolving current problems.
I completed all official cognitive behavioral therapy training accredited by Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy Association. Personally, I believe that understanding cognitive behavioral therapy from an early age can significantly aid one’s life. If you feel depressed, angry, or anxious, learning cognitive behavioral therapy on this website might help you!
6. Conclusion and Q&A
We have explored what cognitive behavioral therapy is, its founder Aaron Beck, the background of CBT, and the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Below are some frequently asked questions and key points.
1) What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is therapy focused on changing dysfunctional thinking and beliefs, and behaviors based on the premise that one’s thoughts and perspectives significantly impact their emotions and actions.
Since the 1960s, cognitive therapy has evolved, and with the integration of behavior therapy techniques in the 1980s, it has developed into cognitive-behavioral therapy, now a cornerstone of therapy related to cognition.
2) What are the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy?
The principles of CBT involve teaching clients the cognitive model to identify distorted thoughts and beliefs, modifying behaviors, and focusing on resolving current problems.
It is short-term and problem-focused, aiming to turn clients into self-therapists.
For those interested in further exploring cognitive behavioral therapy’s cognitive model, the relationship between identity and habits, and more, please check out the links below!
► Information Source and References
[Book] Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Theory and Practice (Chapter 2, Overview of Therapy) – Judith S. Beck / Hana Publishing [Book] Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Chapter 1, Basic Principles) – J.H. Wright, M.R. Basco, M.E. Thase / Hakjisa [Lecture] Meta Station Research Institute Program – Dr. Younghee Choi
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