COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT) 2.

Automatic Thoughts:
o Reflexive, subconscious thoughts triggered
by situations, often negative and distorted
A) Personal Background of the Proponent
during emotional distress.
Aaron T. Beck (1921–2021)
3. Cognitive Distortions:
• Renowned American psychiatrist and
o Common distorted thinking patterns include:
psychoanalyst.
▪ All-or-Nothing Thinking: Seeing situations
• Initially trained in Freudian psychoanalysis but
in extremes (e.g., "I failed; I am a
later shifted focus to cognitive processes.
complete failure").
• Developed Cognitive Therapy (later called
▪ Overgeneralization: Applying the
Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT) in the 1950s–
outcome of one event broadly (e.g., "I
1960s while researching depression.
didn’t succeed; I never will").
• Major Contributions:
▪ Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst-
o Introduced the concept of negative
case scenario.
automatic thoughts in depression.
▪ Personalization: Taking undue
o Founded the Beck Institute for Cognitive
responsibility for negative events.
Behavior Therapy, advancing CBT
4. Process of CBT:
training and research.
o Assessment and Case Conceptualization:
o Received awards, including the Lasker
Identifying issues and patterns of negative
Clinical Medical Research Award, for his
thoughts.
pioneering work.
o Collaborative Empiricism: Therapist and
client work together to treat thoughts as
B) View of Human Nature
testable hypotheses.
1. Cognitive Basis:
o Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying,
o Humans are inherently capable of rational
challenging, and replacing negative
thought but prone to cognitive distortions
thoughts with realistic ones.
that influence emotions and behaviors.
o Behavioral Activation: Engaging in positive
o Psychological distress arises not just from life
behaviors to counter avoidance and
events but from how individuals interpret
improve mood.
these events.
o Homework and Practice: Assignments help
2. Active Agency:
clients practice skills outside therapy sessions.
o Individuals can actively influence their
emotions through awareness of their
D) Counseling Methods and Techniques in CBT
thoughts and beliefs.
1. Behavioral Activation:
3. Potential for Change:
o Encouraging clients to engage in enjoyable
o Beck emphasized the human capacity for
activities to improve mood.
introspection, growth, and the adoption of
2. Problem-Solving:
healthier perspectives through structured
o Teaching clients to identify and address
intervention
challenges systematically by breaking them
into manageable steps.
3. Cognitive Restructuring:
C) Core Concepts of the Theory
o Revisiting distressing situations to reframe
1. Cognitive Triad:
negative thought patterns.
o Observed in depression:
4. Graded Task Assignment (GTA):
▪ Negative views about self (e.g., "I am
o Breaking larger goals into smaller, achievable
unworthy").
tasks, particularly effective for depressive
▪ Negative views about the world (e.g.,
patients.
"The world is unfair").
5. Activity Monitoring:
▪ Negative views about the future (e.g.,
o Tracking daily activities and their emotional
"Things will never improve"
impact to identify patterns of excess or
deficit.
6. Giving Credit: oEquip clients with strategies to
o Encouraging clients to acknowledge small manage stress, anxiety, and other
achievements to counter negative self- psychological issues.
perceptions. 3. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:
7. Validity Testing: o Foster practical approaches to
o Challenging clients to provide evidence for navigate life challenges.
their beliefs and testing their validity. 4. Promote Emotional Regulation:
8. Guided Discovery: o Help clients control their reactions to
o Helping clients reflect on alternative thought challenging situations.
processes through structured questioning. 5. Support Lasting Change:
9. Systematic Positive Reinforcement: o Encourage clients to sustain
o Rewarding specific positive behaviors to improvements beyond therapy
encourage repetition and growth. sessions.
10. Therapeutic Journaling:
o Recording thoughts and emotions to identify G) Limitations of CBT
patterns and triggers. 1. Not Suitable for All Individuals:
11. Meditation and Relaxation Techniques: o May not be effective for severe
o Incorporating deep breathing and mental health conditions like
progressive muscle relaxation to manage psychosis or personality disorders.
anxiety. 2. Structured and Time-Limited:
12. Imagery: o Its focus on short-term goals may not
o Guiding clients to visualize safe and positive suit individuals needing long-term
places to reduce stress and shift mood. treatment.
3. Relies on Active Participation:
E) Roles of Counselor and Counseling in CBT o Success depends on clients'
1. Goal-Oriented Approach: willingness to engage in homework
o Focus on identifying and achieving and practice.
specific therapy goals. 4. Focuses on Present Problems:
2. Collaboration: o Does not delve deeply into past
o Therapist and client work together to traumas or unconscious processes.
explore, test, and modify thoughts 5. Requires Cognitive Ability:
and behaviors. o Assumes the client can reflect on
3. Individualized Treatment Plans: and modify their thoughts, making it
o Each plan is tailored to the client's less effective for those with severe
specific needs, ensuring relevant cognitive impairments.
and effective intervention.
4. Homework Assignments: Applications and Efficacy
o Clients practice skills outside sessions 1. Evidence-Based Success:
to reinforce learning. o Empirically validated for treating
5. Empowerment: disorders like depression, anxiety,
o Clients are equipped with tools to PTSD, OCD, and phobias.
become their own therapists and 2. Adaptability:
manage challenges independently. o Adapted into specialized therapies
like Cognitive Processing Therapy
F) Purpose of CBT (CPT) for trauma and Dialectical
1. Change Negative Thought Patterns: Behavior Therapy (DBT) for borderline
o Identify and alter maladaptive personality disorder.
thinking that causes emotional 3. Skills Development:
distress. o Clients learn practical skills for self-
2. Develop Coping Mechanisms: regulation and independent
problem-solving.
 o Clear, measurable objectives that guide
BEHAVIOR THERAPY therapy.
4. Problem-Focused:
A) Personal Background of the Proponent o Targets specific behavioral issues and
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990): their contributing factors.
• American psychologist and behaviorist.
• Developed the concept of operant D) Counseling Methods and Techniques
conditioning, emphasizing the role of Classical Conditioning Techniques:
reinforcement and punishment in shaping 1. Flooding:
behavior. o Rapid exposure to feared stimuli to
• Created the "Skinner Box," an experimental reduce sensitivity over time.
device to study behavior in controlled o Example: A person afraid of dogs is
settings. exposed to a dog in a safe, controlled
• Authored the book The Behavior of environment.
Organisms (1938), laying the foundation for 2. Systematic Desensitization:
behavior therapy. o Gradual exposure to feared stimuli while
• Known for integrating experimental practicing relaxation techniques.
techniques into practical applications, o Steps:
such as Project Pigeon during WWII. ▪ Create a fear hierarchy.
▪ Learn relaxation skills.
B) View of Human Nature ▪ Confront fears progressively from
1. Behavior is Observable and Modifiable: least to most intimidating.
o Emphasizes external actions rather than 3. Aversion Therapy:
internal thoughts or emotions. o Pairs undesirable behavior with
o Belief that behavior is shaped by unpleasant stimuli.
consequences and can be o Example: Using medication to induce
systematically changed. nausea when consuming alcohol to
2. Role of Reinforcement: treat substance abuse.
o Positive reinforcement strengthens Operant Conditioning Techniques:
desirable behaviors. 1. Token Economies:
o Punishment reduces undesirable o Reinforcement system where tokens
behaviors. are earned for desired behaviors and
3. Focus on Measurable Outcomes: exchanged for rewards.
o Behaviors are controlled and shaped 2. Contingency Management:
through scientific principles. o A structured agreement outlining
behavior goals, rewards, and
C) Key Concepts of Behavior Therapy consequences.
1. Learning and Conditioning: 3. Modeling:
o Behavior is learned and can be o Demonstrating desired behaviors for
unlearned through classical and clients to imitate.
operant conditioning. o Types include live modeling, symbolic
2. Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Behavior: modeling (videos), and role-playing.
o Therapy focuses on replacing 4. Extinction:
maladaptive behaviors with adaptive o Removing reinforcement for undesired
ones to achieve personal goals. behaviors, such as giving a time-out to
3. Behavioral Goals: a disruptive child.
 3. Focus on Measurable Change:
E) Types of Behavioral Therapy o Use concrete goals to track
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): progress and outcomes.
o Integrates behavioral techniques
with cognitive approaches to H) Strengths and Limitations of Behavior
address thoughts and actions. Therapy
2. Behavioral Play Therapy: Strengths:
o Focuses on children’s mental health 1. Practical and Action-Oriented:
using play to address psychosocial o Focuses on observable changes
challenges. in behavior.
3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 2. Evidence-Based:
(ACT): o Proven effective for various
o Combines mindfulness and mental health issues like anxiety,
behavioral strategies to promote depression, and OCD.
psychological flexibility. 3. Collaborative Nature:
4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): o Encourages client engagement
o Tailored for emotional regulation and motivation.
and interpersonal skills, often for 4. Skills Development:
clients with borderline personality o Teaches practical coping
disorder. mechanisms and resilience.
Limitations:
F) Roles of the Counselor 1. Limited Exploration of Underlying
1. Active Facilitator: Causes:
o Acts as a teacher, consultant, adviser, o Focuses on symptoms rather than
and reinforcer. deep-seated issues.
2. Focus on Collaboration: 2. Not Suitable for All Disorders:
o Works with clients to set goals and o May not be effective for complex
develop strategies for change. conditions requiring in-depth
3. Skill Development: exploration.
o Teaches clients to recognize unhealthy 3. Overemphasis on External
patterns and adopt healthier Reinforcement:
behaviors. o Critics argue this approach may
4. Structured Environment: not ensure long-term, intrinsic
o Provides a safe space for clients to motivation.
rehearse new behaviors and make 4. Time-Consuming:
discoveries. o Techniques like systematic
desensitization require significant
G) Purpose of Behavioral Therapy time and effort.
1. Change Maladaptive Behaviors:
o Reinforce healthy and adaptive
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
behaviors to replace problematic
ones. (MBT)
2. Identify Behavioral Triggers:
o Understand antecedents and I. Personal Background of Proponents
consequences affecting the • Zindel V. Segal: Co-developer of
client’s actions. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
 (MBCT); focuses on preventing depressive • Key Components: Awareness and
relapse by teaching patients to disengage acceptance.
from negative thought patterns. • Encourages introspection to reduce
• Mark G. Williams: Co-developer of MBCT; reactivity to negative experiences.
emphasizes self-awareness to prevent E. Key Features of MBT
recurrent depression through mindfulness. 1. Techniques: Breathing exercises,
• John D. Teasdale: Co-developer of MBCT; meditation, guided imagery.
contributed to combining mindfulness with 2. Objective: Develop a healthier
cognitive therapy to address depression- relationship with thoughts and emotions.
related thought patterns. 3. Observation without Bias: Recognize
• Shared Concepts: experiences without assigning value.
o Decentering: Viewing thoughts as 4. Practicality: Encourages daily practice.
temporary events, not truths. 5. Utilization: Effective for depression,
o Self-awareness: Breaking automatic anxiety, pain, addiction, and more.
thought patterns.
o Empirical Basis: Grounded in scientific IV. Counseling Methods and Techniques
research for relapse prevention. 1. Breathing Exercises: Focus on breath as
an anchor to the present.
II. View of Human Nature 2. Body Scan Meditation: Systematic
• Humans are not inherently flawed but attention to body parts to release
trapped in unhelpful habits. tension.
• Emphasizes observation and acceptance 3. Guided Imagery: Visualization for
of thoughts without judgment. relaxation and stress relief.
• Everyone can cultivate self-awareness and 4. Mindful Eating: Heightened sensory
emotional regulation to achieve peace. awareness during meals.

III. Discussion Proper V. Roles of Counselor and Counselee

A. Theory Overview • Counselor: Facilitates mindfulness
• Derived from Buddhist mindfulness practices in a supportive,
practices and adapted by Jon Kabat- nonjudgmental environment.
Zinn (1970s) into Mindfulness-Based • Counselee: Actively engages in
Stress Reduction (MBSR). practices during and outside therapy.
• Core Idea: Focus on the present • Goal: Build emotional awareness and
moment to disrupt thought patterns regulate thought patterns
causing stress, anxiety, and depression. collaboratively.
B. Applications
• Used in structured programs (MBSR, VI. Purpose of MBT
MBCT) and informal practices. • Enhance awareness of present
• Applicable in therapy, education, experiences.
corporate wellness, and personal • Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
routines. • Foster self-regulation, clarity, and better
C. Expected Outcomes behavior alignment with goals.
• Greater focus on the present.
• Improved emotional control and stress VII. Scope and Limitations
management.
D. Mechanism
 • Scope: Effective for stress, anxiety, o Present actions and personal
depression, chronic pain, and emotional responsibility.
regulation. o Building meaningful relationships.
• Limitations: o Making effective choices to fulfill
o Not suitable for severe mental needs.
disorders requiring medical B. Five Genetic Needs
intervention. • Framework to understand human
o Relies on consistent individual behavior and motivation.
practice. • Therapy guides clients to healthier ways
o May conflict with cultural or of satisfying unmet needs.
personal values. C. How It Works
• Based on Choice Theory: All behavior is
REALITY THERAPY
purposeful and aimed at meeting basic
needs.
I. Personal Background
• Steps:
• William Glasser (1925–2013):
1. Identify unmet needs.
o Psychiatrist who developed Reality
2. Create actionable plans for
Therapy and Choice Theory.
healthier behavior.
o Believed in personal responsibility,
3. Regular self-evaluation and
choice, and the significance of
progress tracking.
relationships in shaping behavior and
D. Applications
mental health.
• Effective for:
o Focused on meeting five genetic
o Individual therapy.
needs: love and belonging, survival,
o School counseling.
power, freedom, and fun.
o Addiction recovery.
o Relationship counseling.
II. View of Human Nature
• Useful for addressing behavioral issues,
• Humans are inherently capable of making
anxiety, depression, and self-worth
choices and are motivated to fulfill basic
concerns.
needs.
• Key Needs:
IV. Counseling Methods and Techniques
1. Love and Belonging: Relationships and
1. Therapeutic Alliance:
social connections.
o Build trust and encourage self-
2. Power: Achievement and self-esteem.
exploration in a supportive
3. Freedom: Independence and
environment.
autonomy.
2. Reality Testing:
4. Fun: Enjoyment and recreation.
o Assess if current behaviors meet goals
5. Survival: Basic physical needs like
or require change.
safety and shelter.
3. Commitment to Change:
• Behavior reflects efforts to meet these
o Encourage adherence to new
needs, emphasizing responsibility and
behaviors with progress monitoring.
rational, positive choices.

V. Roles in Therapy
III. Theory Content
Counselor:
A. Reality Therapy Overview
• Facilitator of self-awareness and
• A counseling approach focusing on:
responsible decision-making.
 • Empathetic and supportive, focusing on 1. Triangles:
practical problem-solving. o The smallest stable relationship
Counselee: system (three people).
• Active participant in exploring behaviors
o Under stress, insiders exclude the
and creating solutions.
outsider, creating shifting dynamics.
• Takes ownership of actions to meet
o High tension can cause clinical issues
goals and improve relationships.
like depression.
VI. Purpose of Reality Therapy o Example: A divorced family dynamic

• Help individuals accept accountability involving a mother, daughter, and

and align behavior with intrinsic needs. absent father.
• Key Objectives: 2. Differentiation of Self:
1. Empowerment: Shift from victim o Definition: The ability to separate
mentality to proactive life changes. personal thoughts and feelings from
2. Problem-Solving: Replace ineffective family influence.
behavior with healthier choices. o Low differentiation = dependency
3. Relationship Improvement: Strengthen
on approval and conformity.
connections and communication.
o High differentiation = clear-
4. Focus on the Present: Emphasize
headedness during conflict.
current actions over past traumas.
o Example: A daughter unable to

VII. Limitations express herself due to family

• Criticized for ignoring past traumas and pressure.
deeper psychological issues. 3. Nuclear Family Emotional Process:
• Oversimplifies mental health by o Patterns influencing family issues:
attributing behavior solely to personal ▪ Marital conflict.
choice. ▪ Dysfunction in a spouse.
• Discourages medication use, which can
▪ Child impairment.
be problematic for severe conditions.
▪ Emotional distance.
o Tensions rest disproportionately on
FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY BY MURRAY certain members, escalating
BOWEN symptoms under stress.
I. Introduction 4. Family Projection Process:
• Core Idea: Families are emotional units, o Emotional problems transmitted to a
deeply interconnected. child by parents.
• Foundation: Emotional systems govern o Creates heightened sensitivity and
relationships and contribute to clinical behavioral vulnerabilities.
problems. o Example: A mother projects her
• Developer: Dr. Murray Bowen; anxiety onto her child.
emphasized systems thinking and family 5. Multigenerational Transmission Process:
dynamics. o Gradual differences in self-
differentiation across generations.
II. The Eight Concepts of Family Systems o Affects longevity, health, education,
Therapy and relationships.
 o Example: A mother replicates her
own childhood relational patterns
with her daughter.
6. Emotional Cutoff:
o Managing unresolved family issues
by reducing emotional contact.
o Risks creating overly dependent
relationships elsewhere.
o Example: A child contemplating
cutting ties with a mother.
7. Sibling Position:
o Birth order affects personality traits
(e.g., leadership in eldest,
dependency in youngest).
o Sibling dynamics also influence
marital stability and parental roles.
o Example: The eldest child pressured
to meet high expectations.
8. Societal Emotional Process:
o Emotional patterns in families reflect
societal behaviors.
o Anxiety about societal crises (e.g.,
population growth) exacerbates
family tensions.
o Example: A single mother fearing
societal judgment post-divorce.

III. Applications
• Used in counseling individuals,
couples, and families.
• Analyzes patterns contributing to
emotional and relational challenges.
• Guides clients in identifying and
breaking cyclical family issues