Aaron Beck's Cognitive Behavioral Theory

Cognitive therapy, originated by Aaron Beck (1976), was inspired by Stoic philosophers who believed that by discarding false beliefs through the means of logic, a person could prevent emotional disturbances (Murguia, & Diaz, 2015). Cognitive refers to; thinking, conclusions, understandings, schemas, and biases. Behavioral refers to measurable changes in the way people conduct themselves (Lorenzo-Luaces et al., 2016). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) shifted away from the psychoanalytic approach to therapy, which viewed dysfunctional behavior a result of fundamental mental constructs. CBT was focused on the client’s interactions with the environment, different than psychoanalysis, which focused on their internal drive. Psychoanalysts regarded
It is a broad “umbrella term” that covers a variety of separate therapy models and techniques from both cognitive and behavioral (Herbert, et al., 2013). For the purpose of this meta-analysis when referencing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) this writer is referring to the work of Aaron Beck (1976); who began with the development of cognitive therapy (CT) and later integrated behavioral techniques. The work of Albert Ellis, who was the creator of rational emotive behavioral therapy, was very influential to Becks new approach to therapy. Beck was much less direct than Ellis and helped clients come to their own conclusions (2005). Cognitive behavioral therapy emerged and shifted the focus in psychology and therapy to the causes of maladaptive thinking and how it affects the view of self, the world, and the future (Lorenzo-Luaces et al.,
Automatic thoughts are both visual and verbal in form. When identifying these thoughts it is important to measure the validity of the thought which requires examining core beliefs. It is also important to identify the utility of the thought in order to identify the purpose or what it does for the client (Beck, 1995). Clients also need to learn the distinction between their automatic thoughts and their emotions; often these two get interchanged. Once the client is able to correctly identify their automatic thoughts from their emotions the client is able to begin making an evaluation of both the validity and utility. The client learns what thoughts are helpful and which thoughts are destructive. There are three areas the client can focus on once an automatic thought has been identified (Beck, 1995). The first is to look at the emotions and behaviors that are driven by the thought. This is done by putting a lot of focus on the thought. The second is to investigate further into the event that precedes the thought. The third place a client can focus on when experiencing an automatic thought is to look at the frequency in which that particular thought occurs. These three options all help the client evaluate the purpose of their automatic thoughts. Different patterns of behaviors, events, and emotions can be identified by