Topic 2 Overview of Key CBT Theory
CBT can be defined as the intentional combination of demonstrated readiness and methodological rigor of behavioral procedures with the cognitive-behavioral processes that influence adjustment. CBT is utilizing the accurate understanding of thoughts to purposefully change reactions and behaviors. Internal thoughts are viewed as mechanisms for change.
The principles of CBT can be of great use to those who are practitioners in health and dietary counselling. With a deeper understanding of personal cognition and its relationship to behavior, people can change their lives through changing the way they think.
Increasing mindfulness regarding conscious thought and interrupting automatic negative thoughts can lead people into a healthier outlook and better understanding of their power over their future reactions.
Educating children with the techniques and strategies of this approach will help them in handling future situations and support them with self-motivated emotional and psychological skills.
There are 5 five areas that are believed to be interconnected and affecting one another. For instance, how one feels about a certain situation can cause physical and emotional feelings, resulting in varying behaviors in response.
- Situations
- Thoughts
- Emotions
- Physical feelings
- Behaviors
CBT breaks problems down into smaller pieces to give detailed attention to each part. The techniques aid children in disrupting negative, automatic thoughts, and replacing them with more helpful ones. The overall goal is to teach the skill of breaking down negative thought patterns and changing them into a more helpful approach to handling daily life.
The basic premise of CBT is that emotions are difficult to change directly, so CBT targets emotions by changing thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to the distressing emotions.
This Photo in the background by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
In general, CBT includes:
- identifying specific problems or issues in child’s daily life;
- becoming aware of unproductive thought patterns and how they can impact child’s life;
- identifying negative thinking and reshaping it in a way that changes how child feels;
- learning new behaviors and putting them into practice.
- CBT is based on the principle that behavior is learned (rather than inherited) and, therefore, as one learns a problematic behavior, one can also learn what is desired. Behavior is learned in three main ways:
