Negative Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

(Salkovskis, 2010) explains how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) combines elements of cognitive and behavioural theories. Whereby the cause of distress is recognised in behaviourist terms ‘learned helplessness’ or ‘lack of positive reinforcement’ (Seligman et al, 1974) in conjunction with (Beck et al., 1976) cognitive theory of emotion.

Roots of behaviour therapy lie in learning theories. Wolfe (1958) described a treatment called 'systematic desensitisation' involving the gradual introduction of increasing intense phobic stimuli, whilst offering sustained relaxation. This then evolved into 'graded exposure' involving the therapist encouraging the client to face their fears until they eradicate them. Unfortunately, early on this approach did

The prioritisation of meaning over behaviour forms the basis of understanding reactions and interpretations to situations, thus emotional disorders can be interpreted as a result of someone becoming ‘stuck’ in a continuum of negative situations and responses.

In regards to depression (Beck, 1976) proposed what is known as the ‘negative cognitive triad’ relating to an irrational and pessimistic view of key elements of a persons belief system (e.g. a negative view of oneself, the world and the future). These are looked at from a cognitive perspective, examining how events or situations are experienced and how they emerge in the conscious and unconscious mind.

Barker (2010) describes how mindfulness originates from Buddhist traditions that have been practiced over thousands of years and can be part of many traditional therapeutic approaches. Mindfulness is about being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment, accepting them without judgment. Rather than habitually reacting to stressful situations, unwanted thoughts, or unpleasant feelings, it enables you to be a compassionate, accepting, and non-judgmental observer of

This is based on assumptions that people automatically seek places of safety and security and to fulfil their desires they crave or grasp things, treating them as rewards, which in turn leads to further suffering.

Based on the ‘four noble truths’ (Batchelor, 1997), the mindfulness approach creates the need to focus on our suffering in order to identify how distress is formulated in desire. It is the through the release of this desire and suffering that brings peace. This practice therefore must be repeated until it becomes effortless. Also distress is not considered to be a single or unique experience. Instead, it is seen as being universal in terms of human suffering, with no contrast made between emotions, encompassing fear and sadness (Barker,