ABSTRACT
Beck’s approach has been predicated on his recognition of ‘cognitive specificity’ – i.e., the fact that different psychological problems have distinct and specific cognitive profiles – which show themselves in the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of clients suffering from them. Depression – the first area profiled by Beck is characterised by the themes of defeat and loss. Depressed clients tend to have thoughts such as ‘I am a loser’ and ‘Nobody wants me’. Anxious clients in contrast show preoccupation with danger and threat – with thoughts such as ‘I will fail’ and ‘People will not like me’. These kinds of templates have been constructed for other psychological problems by both the Becks and other researchers. The chapter contains a list of other areas with research references.
