ABSTRACT
In the cognitive model, uncovering the meaning that clients' attach to events is critical for understanding their emotional and behavioural reactions to these events. However, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is not viewed in isolation from other response systems within the person but recognizes its interaction with her behaviour, physiology and emotions; and these systems interact with the wider context of her environment such as living in a high crime neighbourhood and having noisy neighbours. Each one of these elements is capable of influencing the others in an interactive cycle. Greenberger and Padesky suggest that understanding how these five aspects of a person's life experience are interconnected can help the client to understand her problems better. Sometimes others in the client's environment may be encouraged to attend therapy if her problems are to be addressed adequately. In CBT, the usual 'way in' to help a client's understanding of this interactive process is by identifying his situation-specific negative automatic thoughts (NATs).
