Judith Beck's Book Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Reviews

• Beck J.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. From basics to directions.
• SPb: Peter, 2018.

In the 1960s, there was a real revolution in the field of mental health - it was initiated by Aaron Beck, an American psychotherapist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He stated that the primary characteristic of depression is distorted negative cognitions (thoughts and beliefs) and developed short-term therapy. One of the main goals of this therapy was to test the depressive way of thinking for realism

Over time, Aaron Beck and others have successfully adapted this therapeutic approach to address a wide range of disorders and problems. The changes affected the general focus of therapy, the techniques used and the duration of treatment, but the theoretical foundations of the approach remained the same.

In all forms of cognitive behavioral therapy, treatment is based on cognitive formulations, beliefs, and behavioral strategies

Conceptualization comes to the fore - understanding the situation of a particular patient (personal beliefs and behavioral patterns). The therapist looks for different ways to achieve cognitive change - modification of the patient's thinking system and behavior - that will push him to long-term emotional and behavioral changes.

Gradually, cognitive behavioral therapy has adapted for patients with different levels of education and income, for representatives of different cultures and age groups - from children to the elderly. Today it is used in hospitals and schools, as well as in group, pair and family work formats. The book describes an individualized treatment format with sessions of 45 minutes (although the sessions can be shorter).

According to the cognitive model, the interpretation of a situation (and not the situation itself), usually in the form of alternative thoughts, affects a person's emotions, behavior and physiological reactions. Of course, there are events that can upset everyone, such as personal resentment or rejection

However, people with mental disorders often misinterpret neutral and even positive situations - in other words, their automatic thoughts are biased. Critically examining such thoughts and correcting mental errors often leads to an improvement in the patient's general condition.

The book reveals the modern provisions of one of the most effective areas of psychotherapy. The first edition became the world's leading textbook and formed the basis of most university programs in psychology, psychiatry, social work and counseling. The new, expanded and revised edition includes a wealth of valuable information on the significant processes of relationship formation, mindfulness practices, and other techniques in modern CBT formats.

The book is intended for psychologists, psychotherapists, humanitarian students.

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