Homework assignments have been a central feature of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) process since the 1970s (Kazantzis, 2005). Take-home assignments provide the opportunity to transfer different skills and lessons learned in the therapeutic context to situations in which problems arise. These opportunities to translate learned principles into everyday practice are […]
Behavioral interventions encourage new and increase existing positive behaviors while reducing or ending unhelpful ones (Cutler, 2004). They are used to manage and treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions in children and adults, including diabetes, obesity, asthma, and emotional difficulties (Brigden et al., 2019). The continuing trend […]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on the central tenet that our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs determine how we feel and behave (Edelman, 2018). And according to CBT, these cognitions are not fixed – we can change them. But for CBT strategies to step in and challenge our thinking, we […]
Psychotherapy has traditionally been focused on healing people and bringing them up to their usual level of functioning. While addressing psychological ailments is crucial for improving mental health, it falls short in terms of helping people achieve optimal functioning. Since its inception, positive psychology has highlighted the need to increase […]
The idea that our thoughts determine how we feel and behave is the cornerstone of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The good news is that by helping people view experiences differently and changing how they think, we can alter how they react. This shift in perception can offer clients the opportunity […]
If your imagination has ever run amok, dragging you through a repeat cycle of worst possible scenarios, then you likely understand the concept of ‘catastrophizing.’ This negative mental schema serves to magnify thoughts and situations such that they are blown way out of proportion with reality. This article will discuss […]
In moments of panic, we often assume the worst will happen. However, when we continually overestimate the likelihood of disaster and doubt our ability to cope, and yet still see such negative thinking as rational and correct, we need support (Wilding, 2015). Decatastrophizing is a form of cognitive reappraisal that can help […]
Behaviors do not occur in isolation. In order to change a behavior, we need to understand why we act that way in the first place. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic modality that considers the triggers (antecedents), thoughts, actions, and consequences that make up a behavior (Bakker, 2008). It […]
We are often presented with situations in life when we need to make a decision with imperfect information, and we unknowingly rely on prejudices or biases. For example, we might: Trust someone more if they’re an authority figure than if they’re not Assume someone’s gender based on their profession Make […]
Rational Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, or REBT, is a style of short-term cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that was developed in the 1950s by a doctor named Albert Ellis (The Albert Ellis Institute, n.d.). Ellis trained as a clinical psychologist but found the options for treating his patients lacking. His dissatisfaction […]
If you’ve ever wondered... What’s with all the hype about positive thinking? … you’re not alone. Self-help movements have touted the benefits of visualization and a positive mindset to the point of triggering a countermovement known as toxic positivity, referring to the practice of unrealistic optimism and the false belief […]
What comes to mind when you hear the word “therapy”? Most people have the vision of what we see in the movies, a doctor seated in his chair, with a pen and pad in hand, while the client lies down and talks about his feelings. Although that is indeed a […]
Helping children become aware of the ways in which thoughts can influence emotions and behavior is one of the most valuable lessons we can bequeath. At a time when social, cognitive and emotional development is expeditious, reframing counterproductive thinking and the beliefs that underlie that thinking is integral to navigating […]
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered to be one of the most rapid therapies there is when it comes to getting quick results. CBT is both brief and time-limited in comparison to other types of therapy. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is based upon the idea that our thoughts, not external events like people […]
The principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be of great use to those who are practitioners in positive psychology. 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 with regard to conscious thought and […]
Albert Ellis’s ABC Model is a significant part of the form of therapy that he developed, known as Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). REBT served as a sort of precursor to the widely known and applied Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and the ABC Model is still commonly used as a treatment in […]
Do you ever find yourself following a certain train of thought, without consciously deciding to go down that path, that takes you to a sad or upsetting conclusion? I’m going to assume you answered affirmatively since you’re human! (If you’re not a human, feel free to skip this piece.) It’s […]
Setting boundaries is an important part of establishing one’s identity and is a crucial aspect of mental health and well-being. Boundaries can be physical or emotional, and they can range from being loose to rigid, with healthy boundaries often falling somewhere in between. This article will discuss what healthy boundaries […]
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that has been used for decades to treat a variety of disorders, from depression and anxiety to eating disorders and insomnia. One of the exciting aspects of CBT is that it can either be used by therapists to treat their clients or […]
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy which has become a crucial part of psychology. While it was originally formulated as a treatment for depression, it is now involved in the treatment of many different disorders. This article will define CBT, present a brief historical overview of CBT, and […]
Even if you're relatively unfamiliar with psychology, chances are you've heard of cognitive-behavioral therapy, commonly known as CBT. It's an extremely common type of talk therapy practiced around the world. If you’ve ever interacted with a mental health therapist, a counselor, or a psychiatry clinician in a professional setting, it's […]
Positive cognitive behavioral therapy, or positive CBT, is a strengths-based approach with positive psychology roots. The focus is not on what's wrong with the client, but on what is right with them. A positive CBT practitioner focuses on building a client's strengths and uses strategies that clients can use to help cope […]
