COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT)

In every situation, we have certain thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions. These determine how we are going to feel about the situation, which in turn determines our response in the situation. This is called the ABC theory.

A-----------------------------------------B-------------------------------------------C
Antecedent	Beliefs	Consequence
(situation)	(thoughts, attitudes, assumptions)	(feelings, behavior)

So it is clear that A does not cause the C. in other words, rain did not cause you to feel excited or disappointed. It’s the way you think about the situation, which determines how you will feel and then respond to the situation. For example, its what you think of the rain, which makes you feel disappointed or pleased. Cognitive therapists assess thoughts, feelings, behaviors, biology, and environment in understanding problems. These five areas are interconnected; each part influencing the other. A cognitive therapist may intervene in any or all of the five areas to help a client, but they play particular emphasis on identifying and evaluating thoughts and on behavior change. Continued...