Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy details the latest advances in the fastest growing form of psychotherapy in the world. It is essential reading for researchers as well as clinicians. Aaron T. Beck, M.D., University Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wright's volume is welcome for its emphasis on more complex and emergent applications of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) than typically offered in review texts. Those already familiar with CBT will be intrigued to learn how well their skills transfer to applications with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, people with physical illnesses as well as with children and adolescents. Psychiatrists new to CBT will understand more clearly why this approach has gained so many followers and will be delighted to learn how computers can assist in the delivery of these services. Christine A. Padesky, Ph.D., Author of Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think

In this compact, richly detailed volume, the contributors show how CBT's primary focus of identifying and changing maladaptive patterns of information processing and related behaviors is fully compatible with biological theories and treatments and can be combined with pharmacotherapy to optimize treatment results in clinical practice.

Now four decades old, cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the most heavily researched—and effective—forms of psychotherapy, useful in treating both psychiatric and medical disorders.

In this compact, richly detailed volume, 13 distinguished contributors show how CBT's primary focus of identifying and changing maladaptive patterns of information processing and related behaviors is fully compatible with biological theories and treatments and can be combined with pharmacotherapy to optimize treatment results in clinical practice. In five chapters that illustrate the broadening reach and scope of CBT, these experts discuss

• Schizophrenia—Shows clinicians how to incorporate the strengths of CBT into their daily practices for treating patients with schizophrenia. CBT methods (e.g., thought recording, examining the evidence, activity scheduling, graded task assignments, psychoeducation) can help relieve both positive and negative symptoms, reduce the stigma associated with the illness, improve depression and anxiety, and increase social skills.
• Bipolar I disorder—Focuses on a concerted effort to educate the patient about bipolar disorder, which helps patients and families develop an "early warning" system and be prepared with interventions to forestall relapse. CBT methods also teach patients how to reduce common psychosocial stressors and adhere to their prescribed medications.
• Computer-assisted CBT—Discusses an exciting new frontier that has already found excellent levels of patient acceptance and can reduce the amount of clinician time required for successful treatment. Using virtual reality and other technologies, computer-assisted CBT enhances therapy by providing interactive methods of learning and rehearsing CBT skills and by illustrating problem-solving methods with multimedia scenarios.
• CBT for treating physical illnesses—Details the positive benefits for CBT in many different types of medical disorders, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. CBT can help change negative automatic thoughts ("What's the use?"), reduce anxiety and depression, and ultimately help the patient develop adaptive beliefs, identify and mobilize inherent strengths, and maximize healthy behavioral strategies.
• CBT for children and adolescents—Reviews the robust effects for CBT in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and depression...read more...