What is the Ellis ABC Model? Albert Ellis believed in a more rational approach to psychotherapy. His method proved to be the basis of what is now known as cognitive therapy or “talk therapy”, used to treat people with depression, anxiety, and other related disorders.

The ABC Model refers to three components of experience in which a person can ascertain if his or her belief system is distorted. The “A” is the “activating event”. This event is the one we encounter and objectively describe. The “B” is the “belief”, that is, what you believe is the truth about the event. The “C” is the “consequent emotion”. This is the result of the feelings that you experience as a result of the event.

Here is an example: Continue Reading »

Today, no one needs to suffer in silence. Whether you have depression, anxiety, or other related conditions – the benefits of group cognitive therapy are immeasurable.

What is group cognitive therapy? It is the process by which a group of individuals who suffer from some form of depression or other related issues meet with psychologists in a group format to discuss their issues and, more importantly, come to realize they are not alone in their pain.

Group cognitive therapy allows for each individual to become part of something greater than themselves; that is, they can listen, interact, and realize they are not going crazy, but that others are going through the same problems and experiencing the same symptoms. Moreover, the support an individual can derive from a group setting can increase the rate at which the recovery process is realized. Continue Reading »

Depression, as the TV ad states, can hurt. It can hurt those who are depressed as well as those around them. The feeling of helplessness and hopelessness is a constant state of mind in the depressed person and can lead to other conditions as well. However, there is hope for people who are depressed. Here are some insights into how cognitive therapy can help those who are suffering from depression.

The cognitive therapy approach treats the person, not the symptom. There are several ways in which this is accomplished. By addressing the pain associated with depression, the psychologist can offer alternative solutions to present-day problems. What does this mean?

When an individual is depressed, he or she views life similar to a cup that is half empty. The individual’s self-esteem is at its lowest ebb, and everything is looked upon in a negative manner. The problems an individual faces when depressed can be multiplied, even though they may be minor in nature. With cognitive therapy, these problems are addressed from the outset. The problem a depressed individual is facing is sorted out based on recognition of importance. Continue Reading »

Cognitive therapy can be explained in this way:  While conventional psychotherapy entails discussing issues from the past that may have led up to the myriad of problems a person is currently dealing with, cognitive therapy focuses on the here and now.

Cognitive therapy allows for specific methods of identifying why a person is thinking a specific way or reacting to others differently, and uses techniques that can change one’s behavior.

This type of therapy also allows for individuals to focus on what it is that is causing them so much distress and to identify and evaluate, in a realistic way, how they can change the way they think in order to lead a better life.  Changing behavior and problem-solving are two of the characteristics of cognitive therapy. Continue Reading »

Free Anger Management Series

Controlling your anger is something we all have to deal with at some point. Yes, we tend to get angry with our spouse, the kids, co-workers and bosses. Or we vent our anger in situations involving motorists, or simply when someone pushes the wrong buttons.

However, when anger gets out of control, it’s time to seek therapy. And cognitive therapy might just be the best solution.

Anger management control via cognitive therapy is one way in which we can understand where the anger is coming from and how to effectively deal with any given situation in an appropriate and non-combative manner. Continue Reading »