ABSTRACT
Professionals interested in the inner workings of the mind are infinitely fascinated by just how much of our behavior reflects the way we think and feel. Based on current research about the antecedents of human behavior, cognitive-behavioral therapists use knowledge about the thoughts and feelings of their clients to discuss, understand, and ultimately to change behavior. In this theoretical model, thoughts and feelings are referred to as “higher cognitive processes,” and clients are asked to learn about, identify, and access patterns and modes of thinking and perceiving. Once they understand their cognitive patterns, clients are exposed to a series of techniques designed to change cognitive processes that may be detrimental to mental, emotional, and physical health.
