Cognitive Behavioral Theory In Relation To Family Therapy

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Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Relation to Family Therapy Today Cognitive behavioral Therapy has been influenced by two major therapeutic approaches: firstly, Behaviorism as developed by Skinner, Pavlov and others in 1950s and 1960s, where the main research was related to rewards and punishments, or stimuluses’ and their response. Second is Cognitive therapy which was introduced or made popular by Beck and Ellis in the 1960s. CBT by definition is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. By exploring the patterns of thinking that lead to negative actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, families can identify and change the patterns in order to improve functioning …show more content…

It basically highlights that when two people react differently in a situation, it is because they feel and see the event differently and gives different ‘meaning’ to it. The importance of the ‘meaning’ is not a new idea. Over 1800 years ago the ancient Greek stoic philosopher, Epictetus, said: “Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things” (Butler &ump; Hope, 1995).

The behavioural principle: The behavioural part of CBT argues that ‘behaviour’ has a strong impact on individual’s emotions and thoughts. Hence, changing the behaviour could be a powerful way of changing emotions and thoughts (Flannery-Schroeder &ump; Kendal, 2000).

The ‘here and now’ principle: In CBT, this principle is inherited from behavioural therapy. In CBT, most of the time the main focus in the session is on what is happening now, in the present, rather than what may have caused the problem in the past and the main issue is to process the current main problem (Clark, …show more content…

Ellis developed a theory called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in the mid-1950s. Wikipedia (n.d.) explain this theory as , “A comprehensive, active–directive, philosophically and empirically based psychotherapy which focuses on resolving emotional and behavioral problem and disturbances and enabling people to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.” Unlike client-centered therapy, Ellis active-directive approach to rational emotive behavior therapy focused on The ABCD technique. This ABCD framework is defined as: (A) activating even not from an emotion, (B) belief about the events, (C) consequence that stem from people interpretation effectively and (D) dispute the irrational events. Ideally, a client can relinquish their irrational beliefs effectively disputed (at point D), by challenging them rationally, the disturbed consequences are reduced (Corsoni, 2011 p.196). In REBT therapists take charge in showing their client’s complicated thoughts which led to irrational beliefs. Irrational beliefs are unhealthy, negative emotions in the conscious that clouds your judgment in yourself, others and the environment. According to REBT therapists, only hard work and practice can make rational beliefs. Rational beliefs represents reasonable, flexible, and constructive conclusion about

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