Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Professional Resources & Continuing Education

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy refers to a collection of multiple, generally evidence based approaches to psychotherapy. It is often abbreviated as "CBT." There are many different approaches within CBT and CBT has been researched and adapted for a number of different presenting difficulties and disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, insomnia, personality disorders, weight loss, Adult ADHD, etc. Relatively newer forms incorporate concepts such as "mindfulness" and are sometimes referred to as "Third Wave" therapies or "Third Wave" cognitive-behavioral therapies.

Judith Beck, Ph.D. (2011) notes that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (previously titled Cognitive Therapy by her father Aaron Beck, MD) uses the cognitive model which "proposes that dysfunctional thinking (which influences the patient's mood and behavior) is common to all psychological disturbances. When people learn to evaluate their thinking in a more realistic and adaptive way, they experience improvement in their emotional state and in their behavior." Patients identify, evaluate and respond to automatic thoughts as well as address core beliefs. The therapist and patient work together collaboratively, and the patient is encouraged to apply what is learned in session outside of the session through "homework" and other means.


You can learn more and get great CBT related continuing education at PsychContinuingEd.com

For example, you can get 12 CE credits for $69 for reading Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Second Edition: Basics and Beyond which was published in 2011 and written by Judith S. Beck, Ph.D. (foreward by Aaron T. Beck, MD).

The leading text for students and practicing therapists who want to learn the fundamentals of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), this book is eminently practical and authoritative. In a highly accessible, step-by-step style, master clinician Judith S. Beck demonstrates how to engage patients, develop a sound case conceptualization, plan treatment, and structure sessions effectively. Core cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques are explicated and strategies are presented for troubleshooting difficulties and preventing relapse. An extended case example and many vignettes and transcripts illustrate CBT in action. Reproducible clinical tools can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.
Read how this book is your New Psychotherapy "Play Book" packed with useful techniques and guidance on how to structure the entire course of Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Learn more about how you can get continuing education credits for reading the book!


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Resources
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies "is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of a scientific approach to the understanding and amelioration of problems of the human condition. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive, and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, and treatment."

The Beck Institute is home to Aaron Beck, MD and Judith Beck, Ph.D. and provides workshop training as well as other services.

Academy of Cognitive Therapy is a professional association which also offers certification in Cognitive Therapy.

The Albert Ellis Institute was created by the late founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D. is research director at The Melissa Institute for violence prevention and treatment.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) from the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.'s Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

The VA's National Center for PTSD's page on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

An approach to chronic depression in particular: The Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy

Selected Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Books
Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders, Second Edition by Aaron T. Beck MD, Arthur Freeman Ed.D. & Denise D. Davis Ph.D. This landmark work was the first to present a cognitive framework for understanding and treating personality disorders. Part I lays out the conceptual, empirical, and clinical foundations of effective work with this highly challenging population, reviews cognitive aspects of Axis II disorders, and delineates general treatment principles. In Part II, chapters detail the process of cognitive-behavioral therapy for each of the specific disorders, review the clinical literature, guide the therapist through diagnosis and case conceptualization, and demonstrate the nuts and bolts of cognitive intervention.

Cognitive Therapy for Challenging Problems: What to Do When the Basics Don't Work by Judith S. Beck Ph.D. & Aaron T. Beck, MD. This groundbreaking book addresses what to do when a patient is not making progress in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Provided is practical, step-by-step guidance on conceptualizing and solving frequently encountered problems, whether in developing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance or in accomplishing specific therapeutic tasks. While the framework presented is applicable to a range of challenging clinical situations, particular attention is given to modifying the longstanding distorted beliefs and dysfunctional behavioral strategies of people with personality disorders. Helpful appendices include a reproducible assessment tool, the Personality Belief Questionnaire.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Second Edition: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change by Steven C. Hayes Ph.D., Kirk D. Strosahl, Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D. Since the original publication of this seminal work, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has come into its own as a widely practiced approach to helping people change. This book provides the definitive statement of ACT—from conceptual and empirical foundations to clinical techniques—written by its originators. ACT is based on the idea that psychological rigidity is a root cause of a wide range of clinical problems. The authors describe effective, innovative ways to cultivate psychological flexibility by detecting and targeting six key processes: defusion, acceptance, attention to the present moment, self-awareness, values, and committed action. Sample therapeutic exercises and patient–therapist dialogues are integrated throughout.


Check out PsychContinuingEd.com for great continuing education for mental health professionals such as psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, etc. You can get CE credits for reading Judith Beck, Ph.D.'s "Cognitive Behavior Therapy, second edition."

Follow @DrFinnerty on Twitter