ABSTRACT
The way cognitive therapists tend to focus on present time problems, rather than deeper explorations of past history, comes from the focus on time sensitivity discussed in the last chapter and also justifies the structured approach advocated there. As cognitive therapy has evolved, however, it has been realised that a strictly ‘rational’ approach to problem may sometimes have limitations. Clients may sometimes have irrational goals and these may need to be ‘worked through’. Some ideas and methods related to this factor have been advanced in some of the ‘third wave’ CBT models, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and these are briefly described. These ideas and methods have been recognised in the more recent writings of both Aaron and Judith Beck.
