Introduction to CBT
The theoretical foundations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The founding father of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Dr Aaron Beck, has recently passed away. His work on CBT has revolutionised the field of psychotherapy. In this article, I would like to share the basis of CBT and its core assumptions.
What is CBT?1
As the name suggests, CBT is based on the idea that the way we think about a situation can affect what we feel and behave. If we think about a situation negatively, we might experience negative emotions as a result, and those negative feelings might lead us to behave in a certain way. CBT is based on the assumption that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours influence each other.
In CBT, the clinician would work with the service user to identify these vicious cycles and help break them.
Common conditions that CBT may help with
According to NICE2 (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), CBT is the main choice for both anxiety and depression. It can also be effective for Obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood trauma, insomnia, etc…
Hot Cross Bun - the formulation tool3
The hot cross bun is a simple formulation tool that clinicians use in CBT to help develop the service user’s self-awareness of their thoughts, emotions, physical state, and behaviour. It is often very difficult to be aware of all four experiences. Thus, during the first session, the clinician would work with the service user to identify a problem that they would like to work with, and then use the hot cross bun to break down these four experiences that would occur when the service user encounters the problem. This can help the service user make sense of their experience and identify possible treatments that can target one or more of the areas. Research has shown that targeting one or more areas may help break this cycle and help improve the wellbeing of service users.
Over the years researchers have built upon the CBT model and included more tools, theories, and research. Let me know down the comments below or through email reply if you would like to learn more about a specific area of CBT or are interested in learning more!
Sam
http://projectacademy.org/resources/2-The%20Coddling%20of%20the%20American%20Mind.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-and-cognitive-psychotherapy/article/abs/nice-guidelines-on-treatment-of-depression-in-childhood-and-adolescence-implications-from-a-cbt-perspective/D1F99DA7DB453755CCF721618BC57859
https://doctorjuliesmith.com/the-hot-cross-bun/