ABSTRACT
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) follows the law of parsimony or Ockham's razor: 'If you can explain something adequately without introducing further complexity, then the simple explanation is the best explanation'. For example, a coachee complains of feeling angry when their boss gives them extra work. Understanding and moderating their anger will not usually be advanced by them attempting to pinpoint their boss's putative motives, developing a psychological profile of them, and/or repeatedly discussing the corporate culture. Helping them to see that they are not exempt from experiencing unfairness in the workplace and addressing their concerns to their boss may prove to be straightforward solutions to their anger problem. When further complexity is necessary, explanations still follow the law of parsimony in 'specifying the simplest sufficient explanation for a stated purpose'. Core beliefs are both straightforward and fundamental in explaining the source and maintenance of clients' problems.
