ABSTRACT
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) considers current cognitive functioning crucial to the maintenance and persistence of psychological disturbance. By staying mainly in the present, the therapist helps the client to change her current maladaptive thoughts, assumptions and core beliefs to ameliorate her emotional disturbance. Historical factors that contributed to the person's current problems cannot be modified; current beliefs and behaviours that maintain these problems can be. A historical perspective is usually included in therapy as it helps the therapist to understand how the client's present difficulties developed and the nature of her specific vulnerabilities to emotional distress. Also, the client may blame past events for her current problems. Behaviour plays a very important role in maintaining emotional distress as individuals act in ways that support their dysfunctional beliefs act as you think. In summary, cognitive and behaviour change are equally important.
