HM 15-6 Weiten defines cognitive therapy as “an

insight therapy that emphasizes recognizing and changing negative thoughts and maladaptive beliefs.”

The process of changing the patterns of thought that are presumed to cause disturbances in emotion or behavior is referred to as cognitive restructuring (Liebert & Spiegler, 1994).

In this approach, clients learn to recognize and understand their harmful thought patterns and to replace them with more adaptive thoughts.

HM 15-6 In particular, cognitive restructuring focuses

on self-statements, the instantaneous thoughts we have about ourself when we think about an event or situation (Liebert & Spiegler, 1994).

Liebert and Spiegler (1994) provided a demonstration of cognitive restructuring that you can use for you class.

They have two purposes in using the demonstration: to familiarize students with the most commonly used cognitive therapy technique and to teach students a coping skill that can be used throughout life.

HM 15-6 Students are given a series of

hypothetical stress-producing situations and negative self-statements mad in response (see HM 15-6).

These statements are particularly maladaptive because they interpret the situation as hopeless, where nothing can be done about it.

Although the situations are aversive, the are not hopeless.

HM 15-6 The students’ task is to provide a positive

self-statement for each situations. Examples of positive self-statements are

provided below: Situations 1: Having a long, difficult

assignment due the next day. “If I work real hard I may be able to get it

all done for tomorrow.” “This is going to be tough but it is still

possible to do it. “

HM 15-6 Situation 2: Having a accident with the

family car. “What’s done is done; I’ll just have to

make the best of it.” “I’ll just have to figure out a way that I

can pay for this.” Situation 3: Moving away from friends and

family. “I’ll miss everyone, but it doesn’t mean

we cant stay in touch.” “Just think of all the new people I’m

going to meet.”

HM 15-6 Situation 4: Breaking up with a person you

love. “I really though our relationship would

work, but it’s not the end of the world.” “Maybe we can try again in the future.”

Situation 5: Not getting into graduate school. “I’ll just have to reapply next year.” “There are things I can do with my life

other than going to grad school.”

HM 15-6 Situation 6: Having to participate in a

class discussion. “I have as much to say as anyone else in

the class.” My ideas may be different, but they’re

still valid.”