The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy People With Substance Abuse Problems Free Essay Example, 3000 words

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy evolved from two therapeutic disciplines namely Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Therapy (Shinebourne lecture, 2010). Behaviour Therapy was strongly influenced by the behaviourist movement in Psychology, particularly the Classical Conditioning theories of Pavlov and the Learning Theories by Thorndike and Skinner. Behaviourism was developed as a reaction against the prevailing Freudian psychoanalysis which focused on the workings of the mind, inclusive of the conscious, pre-conscious, unconscious and the concepts of id, ego and superego. It also put much emphasis on childhood experiences. It explains that most of the adult personality, coping and defence mechanisms are results of experiences that brought about strong emotions during childhood (Freudian lecture, 2010). However, behaviourism questioned Freud s Psychoanalysis scientific basis and lack of empirical evidence. Also, behaviour therapy did not consider mental processes such as thoughts, belief s, interpretations, imagery, etc. It was realized that behaviour and emotions are also strongly influenced by cognitions such as the thoughts, beliefs and interpretations that people make (Shinebourne lecture, 2010). Hence, the fusion of behaviourist and cognitive principles became Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Aaron Beck claims that much of our psychological problems are caused by cognitive distortions due to our acknowledged human fallibility. We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: People With Substance Abuse Problems or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Aaron Beck claims that much of our psychological problems are caused by cognitive distortions due to our acknowledged human fallibility. In depressed people, these belief systems, or assumptions, develop from negative early experiences such as the loss of a parent, rejection from peers, an unrelenting succession of tragedies, criticism from teachers, parents or peers, or even the depressed behaviour of a parent. These negative experiences lead to the development of dysfunctional beliefs about the world, which are triggered by critical incidents in the future. (Field, 2000). Beck (1987) came up with the concept of negative cognitive triad that describes the pattern that triggers depression. In the first component of the triad, the client exhibits a negative view of himself.