Cognitive-behavioural therapies

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT aims to work through the negative thoughts of clients and helps them to set new, rational and positive goals.

We shall look at:

• Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

REBT

What disorders tend to be treated using REBT?

Depression and anxiety disorders

Summarise the ABC Model

Activating Events Unpleasant Events

Beliefs -We develop explanations of the event, which tend to be irrational thoughts

Consequences The result of the beliefs we maintain. They often appear in the form of anxiety or depression

What is it?

• Developed by Albert Ellis who formulated the ABC model.

• Problems are based up on irrational thinking.• Self Defeating habits are formulated due to

faulty beliefs.

• Helps a client understand this irrationality and the consequences of working in such a way.

• Allows substitution of more effective methods.

How does it work Process:

Negative event (A)

Rational Belief (B)

Healthy Negative emotion ©

Negative event (A)

Irrational Belief (B)

Unhealthy Negative emotion ©

How does it work?

• What are the main influence behind our emotional well being?

• Describe the effect of irrational beliefs.

• What does REBT aim to do?

REBTThink of another example to demonstrate the ABC

model

A: Getting a low mark in the first AS exam B: Irrational beliefs and thoughts (this means I

will definitely fail A Level Psychology) C: Feeling depressed about the future

Break REBT down into key stages

The patient is persuaded that their beliefs are irrational (this can be quite confrontational)

The patient is made aware that they are a large part of the problem they are facing (i.e. their beliefs lead to their anxiety)

Patients are given assignments (homework) which encourage them to look closely at the effect of their thought patterns (could be in the form of a journal).

The patient is taught to replace irrational beliefs with rational ones.

Eventually the patient fully takes on board the new beliefs and integrates these into their life.

Challenging Irrational beliefs

• It is not the activating events themselves that cause unproductive consequences. REBT focuses on self defeating beliefs that come with them.

• Disputing the beliefs: Logical, empirical, and Pragmatic.

Task:• Describe these processes.• Describe the effect of effective disputing.

evaluation

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

APPROPRIATENESS

• REBT can be used with people both with and without mental disturbance.

• It is a positive therapy that empowers the client.

EFFECTIVENESS

• Ellis (1957) claimed a 90% success rate for REBT.

• Research shows that CBT is at least as effective as chemotherapy (Hollon et al. 1992)

APPROPRIATENESS

• There is evidence that many irrational thoughts can be quite realistic (Alloy & Abrahmson, 1979).

• It may not be suitable to those with severe thought disorders (e.g. Schizophrenia).

EFFECTIVENESS

• The therapy convinces people they can change situations around them, when this may not be the case in all situations.

• It doesn’t appear as effective as systematic desensitization.

Build your Evaluation pg 197

Strengths

• Effectiveness

• Appropriateness

Weaknesses

• Irrational environments

• Not suitable for all

Task

Handout 187