Cognitive Therapies:
Cognitive Therapies are based on the idea that psychological problems
are caused by unhealthy thinking patterns.
Main cognitive therapy:
Rational-Emotive Therapy
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Developed by Albert Ellis.
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Focuses on changing patient’s irrational (not logical) beliefs and helping
them develop logical beliefs.
Main Idea:
Events do not cause us to be unhappy. Our interpretation of events
cause us to be unhappy.
Psychological problems are explained by the ABC model:
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Activating Event: an experience we have.
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Beliefs: our thoughts related to the event.
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Consequences: Our emotional reaction to our beliefs about the event.
Events don’t cause emotional consequences.
Events trigger beliefs, the beliefs cause emotional consequences.
Activating Event: I got a D in History.
Beliefs: I should get all A’s or I am a complete failure.
Consequences: I am miserable.
Rational Emotive Therapy changes beliefs.
Common Irrational Beliefs:
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It is necessary for you to be liked by everyone in your social world.
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To be worthwhile, you must be good at everything you do.
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Your past history is the most important influence on your present behavior.
These beliefs lead to psychological problems.
Therapist disputes these irrational beliefs and replaces them with
rational beliefs.
Rational Beliefs:
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Not everyone will like you because different people have different beliefs
and preferences.
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Nobody can be good at everything they do.
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Your past history can be overcome if you overcome your irrational beliefs.