Beck's cognitive therapy [electronic resource] : distinctive features / Frank Wills.

<P>Introduction: From Kraepelin to Beck to us; Part I: THEORY; 1. Aaron. T. Beck: His life and the development of the principles of cognitive therapy; 2. Problem areas in psychological functioning are marked out by specific cognitive themes and processes; 3. Cognitive therapy addresses a variety of levels and types of cognition: We begin with Beck's discovery of 'automatic thoughts'; 4. Cognitive distortions play a key role in psychological problems; 5. Cognitive organisation is underpinned by deep modes, schemas, beliefs, and assumptions; 6: Cognitive therapy draws richly on evolutionary theory; 7. Images also reflect key elements of cognitive distortions; 8. Cognition, emotion, behaviour, and physiology interact with mutual and reciprocal influence on each other; 9. Safety behaviours, including avoidance, over-preparation, and reassurance-seeking, play a major role in maintaining anxiety; 10. Understanding the role of negative biases in attention strengthens cognitive therapy; 11. Metacognitive analysis strengthens our understanding of psychopathology; 12. Mindfulness has added power and subtlety to cognitive therapy; 13. Cognitive therapy is a formulation-driven and conceptualisation-driven form of psychological therapy; 14. Beckian epistemology has a clear research process for developing appropriate therapeutic knowledge; 15. Therapy protocols have played a role in the development of the cognitive approach; <I>Part II: </I>PRACTICE; 16. Cognitive therapy requires a collaborative therapeutic relationship; 17. Cognitive therapists, like other therapists, use conceptualisations to tackle interpersonal and alliance issues; 18. Cognitive therapy is, at least initially, a time-sensitive and relatively structured form of therapy; 19. Cognitive therapy is problem- and goal-oriented, and is focused, initially at least, on 'here and now' functioning; 20. Cognitive therapy has an educational focus and uses regular homework; 21. Cognitive therapy has a well-identified set of methods and skills; 22. Cognitive therapy builds on the identification of unhelpful automatic thoughts; 23. Cognitive therapists teach clients to evaluate and then respond to their negative thoughts; 24. Cognitive therapists have developed methods for identifying beliefs and schemas; 25. Cognitive therapy has methods for working on unhelpful beliefs and schemas; 26. Cognitive therapy has been strengthened by including interventions focused on emotions and imagery; 27. Cognitive therapists use a variety of methods to promote behaviour change; 28. Cognitive therapy has developed new ways of working with cognitive processes, especially via mindfulness; 29. Cognitive therapists are key participants in large systems delivering psychological therapy; 30. Cognitive therapy aspires to be a unifying model: Both in terms of using concepts and skills from other therapies, and of offering them its own methods; Concluding comments: Let's <I>all</I> raise a glass to Aaron 'Tim' Beck </P>

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Beck's Cognitive Therapy explores the key contributions made by Aaron T. Beck to the development of cognitive behaviour therapy. The book describes the development of the unique model of therapy developed by Professor Aaron. T. Beck and his daughter, Dr. Judith. S. Beck. The first part on theory explains how the Becks understand psychological problems. The second part on practice describes the main methods and skills that have evolved in cognitive therapy. Updated throughout to include recent developments, this revised edition of Beck's Cognitive Therapy will be ideal for both newcomers and experienced practitioners.

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