Cognitive Therapy of Aaron Beck

Origin

Cognitive therapy (CT) is a type of psychotherapy that was developed by American psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960’s. Cognitive therapy seeks to help the patient overcome emotional difficulties by identifying and changing dysfunctional thinking, negative emotional responses and the subsequent unfavorable behavior stemming from them. This process involves helping patients develop skills for modifying their beliefs, identifying distorted thinking and relating to people in newer and different ways, owing to the change in behavior patterns.

Why behavior doesn't change

In spite of applying different reinforcers, offering attractive rewards, threatening with punishment and confiscating pleasures; behavior somehow doesn't budge. Children continue to misbehave, partners argue with each other, employees complain and maybe lose their jobs and delinquents incessantly break laws without fearing negative consequences. Life is not all science and math. Logic frequently fails and the world seems to be left in a sticky situation with regard to righteousness. Behavior is observable. Any behavior (by anybody) impacts the world around each one of them in some way or the other. No one thrives in a vacuum. The real world has genuine troubles, actual situations and factual problems; thus we need realistic solutions…