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Therapeutic Theory: Cognitive Therapy

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1. Introduction
Cognitive theory is one of the most commonly used therapeutic approaches in the world. Section A of this assignment will provide an in depth explanation of cognitive theory and also explain how cognitive theory is applied and used in therapy. Section B will provide an example of a treatment plan using cognitive therapy. Throughout the assignment (section A and section B), the case study of Luke (appendix A) will be used to explain cognitive therapy.
2. Section A: Cognitive Theory
2.1. Basic Philosophy
Cognitive therapy has a neutral outlook on human beings and how people function (Murdock, 2013). Human reality is explained from an evolutionary angle, meaning people merely adjust to their environment (Murdock, 2013). Cognitive …show more content…

Automatic thoughts are usually not full sentences, but rather shorthand (Murdock, 2013). Whether it is functional or distressing depends on the content, but are always reasonable to the thinker. We are not aware of automatic thoughts, but rather the emotions associated with them (Murdock, 2013). Automatic thoughts result from core and intermediate beliefs and automatic thoughts are easier to change (Murdock, 2013) . There are three types of automatic thoughts: distorted thoughts that are contrary to available objective evidence, accurate, but wrong distorted conclusion, and accurate but dysfunctional (Beck J. S., …show more content…

Therapeutic Techniques
In cognitivethan negative automatic ones (Murdock, 2013).
2.7. Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversit
An individual’s culture will influence how he/she perceives the world, including his/her own behaviour, and thus should take this into account (Hoffman, 2006). Cognitive therapy assumes that the individual is largely responsible for his/her own fate; this individualistic outlook may clash with collectivistic values that some cultures might have (Jackson, Schumacher, Wenzel, & Tyler, 2006). Many cultures in South Africa also have collectivistic values (Murdock, 2013).
The relative neglect of environmental factors and influences in cognitive theory may be problematic when working with culturally and individually diverse individuals (Murdock, 2013). People who have experienced prejudice, discrimination, and oppression might have more difficulty locating the sources of their discomfort solely in their cognitive processes (Murdock, 2013). Therapists using cognitive therapy should be careful to incorporate any critical sociocultural factors in their cognitive theory case formulation (Duckworth, 2009b).
3. Section B: Treatment Plan
3.1. Egan’s Skilled

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