Unmasking Your Core Beliefs

Core Beliefs and Cognitive Therapy

• Core beliefs are deeply held, absolute, and rigid beliefs about oneself, others, and the world.
• In short-term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), core beliefs are targeted later in therapy, after negative automatic thoughts have been addressed.

Beck's Cognitive Therapy (CT) vs. Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

• Beck's CT focuses on identifying and changing negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs.
• Ellis' REBT focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs.

Socratic Questioning

• Socratic Questioning is a technique used in CBT to explore and examine a person's thoughts and beliefs.
• It should be used to help clients identify and evaluate their negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs.
• The purpose of using Socratic Questioning to explore 'Evidence for' is to help clients evaluate the evidence for and against their negative automatic thoughts.

Cognitive Biases

• Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that can contribute to negative automatic thoughts.
• Examples of cognitive biases include all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and mental filter.

Negative Automatic Thoughts

• The purpose of evaluating the extent to which a negative automatic thought is believed is to help clients identify and challenge their thoughts.
• The early focus of therapy when working with negative automatic thoughts is to help clients identify and monitor their thoughts.

Diathesis-Stress Model

• The Diathesis-Stress Model suggests that the vulnerability of a person plays a role in whether a stressor leads to psychological problems.

Dysfunctional Assumptions

• Dysfunctional assumptions are rigid, absolute, and unhelpful beliefs about oneself, others, and the world.
• The purpose of focusing on dysfunctional assumptions later in therapy is to help clients identify and challenge their underlying beliefs.

Medication and CBT

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used in conjunction with medication to treat psychological problems.
• Medication can help reduce symptoms, while CBT can help clients address underlying thoughts and beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps clients identify and change negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs.
• CBT aims to change maladaptive thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Automatic Thoughts and Schemas

• Automatic thoughts are fleeting, unconscious thoughts that can contribute to negative emotions and behaviors.
• Schemas (or schemata) are underlying, core beliefs about oneself, others, and the world.

General Approach of CBT

• The general approach of CBT is to identify and challenge negative automatic thoughts and underlying core beliefs, and replace them with more balanced and constructive ones.

Probability Overestimation

• Probability overestimation is a cognitive bias in which a person overestimates the likelihood of a negative event.

Role of Collaboration in CBT

• Collaboration is a key element of CBT, as clients work together with their therapist to identify and challenge their thoughts and beliefs.

Solution-Focused Questioning (SQ)

• Solution-Focused Questioning is a technique used in CBT to help clients identify and build on their strengths and resources.
• A key attitude of a therapist in SQ is a non-judgmental, curious, and collaborative stance.

CBT Sessions

• The recommended frequency of CBT sessions is usually once a week.
• The recommended length of a typical CBT session is usually 45-60 minutes.

Homework in CBT

• Homework is a technique used in CBT to help clients practice new skills and strategies outside of therapy sessions.
• The main purpose of homework is to help clients apply what they have learned in therapy to their daily lives.

Changing Minds in CBT

• The attitude difference highlighted in Padesky's work on changing minds in CBT is the difference between a fixed, judgmental mindset and a growth, curious mindset.

Solution-Focused Questioning Treatment

• The main focus of Solution-Focused Questioning is to help clients identify and build on their strengths and resources.
• The recommended duration of Solution-Focused Questioning treatment is typically 6-12 sessions.