ABSTRACT
As noted in part 1, cognitive therapy developed from Beck’s detection of negative automatic thoughts that underlie problems such as depression and anxiety. Judith Beck has delineated a process that moves from helping clients to identify these thoughts for themselves to amending them to less toxic versions. This is achieved by learning to evaluate their status and changing them accordingly. It is important to proceed into this in a gradual and orderly way otherwise clients may become confused and/or resistant. Various difficulties that clients can experience in the process – such as finding it difficult to distinguish between thoughts and feelings are noted and solutions discussed.
