Cbt Essay
An Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Case Study Focusing on a Patient with Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
This essay will provide an understanding of the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and its application to a case study of someone who has mild to moderate health problems. It aims to critically evaluate the principles and philosophy that underpin cognitive behaviour theory, whist demonstrating an understanding of fundamental cognitive behavioural strategies, and finally to critically appraise the evidence base of appropriate treatment methods. For the purpose of the assignment and in accordance to British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP, 2010:7) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, the clients name has been changed to the pseudonym George. All other identifiable information has also been altered.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), as its name suggests, blends the theoretical insights of both the behavioural and cognitive therapies. CBT’s origins can be dated back to Stoic, Taoist and Buddhist philosophies which link human emotions to thoughts and ideas (Beck et al, 1979). Modern CBT is psychologically based and historically can be linked to behavioural theories such as those developed by Pavlov (Classical conditioning, 1927) and Skinner (Operant conditioning, 1938). Learning theories also focused on how new learning occurs to provide associations between a ‘stimuli’ and a ‘response’ (Westbrook et al, 2011). Behavioural Therapy (BT) proved particularly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly with specific phobias. However BT did not recognise the importance of the patient’s internal thoughts in relation the maintenance of the distress, and was proved to be ineffective in the treatment of depression (Fennell, 1999). It was in the 1960’s that treatment for depression was revised and ‘cognitive therapy’ was devised.
Initially, in the 1950’s Kelly (cited in, Stojnov &
This essay will provide an understanding of the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and its application to a case study of someone who has mild to moderate health problems. It aims to critically evaluate the principles and philosophy that underpin cognitive behaviour theory, whist demonstrating an understanding of fundamental cognitive behavioural strategies, and finally to critically appraise the evidence base of appropriate treatment methods. For the purpose of the assignment and in accordance to British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP, 2010:7) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics, the clients name has been changed to the pseudonym George. All other identifiable information has also been altered.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), as its name suggests, blends the theoretical insights of both the behavioural and cognitive therapies. CBT’s origins can be dated back to Stoic, Taoist and Buddhist philosophies which link human emotions to thoughts and ideas (Beck et al, 1979). Modern CBT is psychologically based and historically can be linked to behavioural theories such as those developed by Pavlov (Classical conditioning, 1927) and Skinner (Operant conditioning, 1938). Learning theories also focused on how new learning occurs to provide associations between a ‘stimuli’ and a ‘response’ (Westbrook et al, 2011). Behavioural Therapy (BT) proved particularly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly with specific phobias. However BT did not recognise the importance of the patient’s internal thoughts in relation the maintenance of the distress, and was proved to be ineffective in the treatment of depression (Fennell, 1999). It was in the 1960’s that treatment for depression was revised and ‘cognitive therapy’ was devised.
Initially, in the 1950’s Kelly (cited in, Stojnov &
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