Product Description

Since its development in the 1960s as a structured, short-term psychotherapy for depression, cognitive therapy has come of age. Today the approach is successfully applied in the treatment of a broad range of psychological disorders, an evolution reflected in the myriad titles now available. Regardless of the disorder, all these applications are based on core, underlying principles, which are clearly articulated in this volume. Providing readers with a solid foundation for practice, Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond delineates the fundamental building blocks of cognitive conceptualization and treatment.

Written in a clear, step-by-step style, this text helps therapists sharpen their conceptualization skills, plan more effective treatment, expand their repertoire of techniques, and trouble-shoot difficulties. Throughout the volume, the author offers clinical examples and transcripts drawn from one patient's treatment to illuminate the narrative and illustrate cognitive therapy in action.

Introductory chapters describe how to conceptualize clients according to the cognitive model, plan and conduct the first session, identify initial problems and goals, and structure therapy within and across sessions. Then the basic steps for conducting cognitive therapy are presented, with specific instruction on how to identify, evaluate, and respond to a client's automatic thoughts. Effective strategies for modifying underlying assumptions and core beliefs are also explicated.

Methods for increasing homework compliance, preparing for termination, and preventing relapse are laid out. Even experienced cognitive therapists will find new strategies and insights in chapters on planning treatment, diagnosing problems, using imagery, and bringing about behavioral change.

In addition to numerous practical suggestions, this volume features a variety of sample patient worksheets and appendices that detail resource materials and reading lists for both the practitioner and the client. A final chapter offers guidance in progressing as a cognitive therapist.

An important resource for any therapist's shelf, Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond is necessary reading for the practitioner or student new to cognitive therapy who wants to learn about this tested approach, and for the clinician already practicing cognitive therapy who wants to learn the cutting-edge strategies of conceptualization and treatment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4665 in Books
• Published on: 1995-05-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 338 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780898628470
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"This is not just another book about cognitive therapy, or even abouth Aaron Beck's official brand of cognitive therapy. This book is really written for therapists and those training therapists. The essence of this book is not only a clear and scholarly presentation of cognitive therapy, but straight advice on how to overcome specific problems in introducing a patient (or therapist in training) to cognitive therapy. The appendixes include a case summary worksheet, reaading list for therapists, reading list for patients, and other resources." --Clinical Gerontologist

"An invaluable text for mental health professionals who want a theoretical and pragmatic reference in their attempts to deal effectively with managed care....This product is complemented by contemporary clinical examples, giving the reader a sense of empowerment about his or her own clinical potential as a cognitive therapist....Whether readers are graduate students getting their first exposure to cognitive therapy or seasoned professionals wanting a refresher on cognitive theory, Dr. Beck's book will satisfy most all professional training needs." --Psychiatric Services

" This valuable resource will enable therapists to strengthen their skills in cognitive therapy, a therapeutic approach whose effectiveness is repeatedly supported in research trials." --The Psychotherapy Newsletter, April 1996, Nancy Rosen, MSW, Executive Director of Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County in Ithaca, NY

Named one of the "Best Books of the Year" (1996) by Doody's Rating Service
-- Review

....A superb textbook that fully realizes the promise of its title....This is essential reading for any student or therapist new to cognitive therapy, but even experienced therapists will find the author's ideas a rich source for enhanced skill-building -- Readings, June 1996

...a practical, no-nonsense text that is extremely comprehensive and reader-friendly. Throughout the book, Ms. Beck offers clinical examples taken from actual transcripts of therapy sessions that clearly and practically illustrate each technique and concept...an important, timely, and valuable resource for psychiatric professionals who engage in formal cognitive behavioral therapy or who practice cognitive behavioral techniques in other contexts. This text provides a clarity of conceptualization and a review of techniques that will prove extremely useful to students as well as experienced therapists. This volume certainly will serve as the basic text for cognitive behavioral therapists and should be necessary reading for psychiatric professionals -- Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, Nov. 1996

This lucid, informative book makes the job of understanding cognitive therapy and how to apply it a good deal clearer and easier. I look forward to assigning it to my graduate students -- Gerald C. Davison, Ph.D., Dean and Professor of Psychology, Annenberg School for Communication, Univ of Southern California; Past President, Assoc for Advancement of Behavior Therapy

Review

About the Author
Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., is Director of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research in suburban Philadelphia, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been invloved in training cognitive therapists for the past 10 years. In addition to supervising intramural and extramural supervisees, she is an acclaimed speaker and has presented numerous workshops nationally and internationally on cognitive therapy for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and panic disorders, personality disorders, relapse prevention, and couples problems.

Customer Reviews

Excellent book for the literate patient
I was introduced to cognitive therapy by a therapist
who recommended David Burns's popular "Feeling Good
Handbook". That is certainly a good book to start with,
but I wanted to learn more so I went to a bookstore and
found this book by Judith Beck. It is actually a textbook
for therapists and is not addressed to patients at all.
Nevertheless I have found it very useful because it is
much more structured than Burns's books. I particularly
found her schema of automatic thoughts (also found in
Burns), intermediate beliefs and core beliefs (the latter
two not found in Burns) to be very helpful. My personal
conclusion is that Burns's less disciplined approach is
probably helpful for simpler kinds of problems, whereas
Beck's formalism is going to be more relevant once you
discover that you want or need to get down below the
surface. The strength of Burns's book is he provides
lots of exercises. Since Beck's book is a text for
the therapist, it does not have exercises for the
patient reading it as self help. If you are reasonably
dedicated you can (and must) create your own exercises.
If you think you can make that bridge from text to
self help, then this may be a good book for you.

[ By the way, I think that Burns's discussion of
communication techniques in his "Feeling Good Handbook"
is the single most useful treatment of that subject I
have found for the single person (he doesn't consider
how committed couples can work on their communication
issues together, but there are lots of couples books
for that).]

Excellent book for clinicians learning Cognitive Therapy
A concise and comprehensive book that provides a basic understanding of cognitive therapy written by one of the leading cognitive therapists. Written with the beginner in mind, it is the only book I have found that provides specific instructions in actually DOING cognitive therapy with clients. Beck takes the reader from the initial session, through case conceptualization, specific interventions, to terminitation. There is even a section on trouble-shooting that is especially useful for students who may have little experience. One of the greatest benefits of the book is that it is written like a manual that beginners can use as a foundation for developing their own style of therapy. If you are a graduate student in a clinical training program, you should have this book whether you conduct cognitive therapy or not.

Excellent reference
This is an excellent introductory source for anyone who is interested in learning Cognitive Therapy. I am a Master's level Professional Counselor in training, and therefore, needed to learn the basics of Cognitive Therapy. The book progresses from the basics of Cognitive Therapy to using advanced techniques. One of the greatest challenges for a Cognitive Therapist is to "teach" the client how to practice Cogntive techniques on their own. Dr. beck does a great job of explaining the rationale, as well as ways to empower the client to be their own therapist.