ABSTRACT
In a clinical sense, it is assumed that an individual’s circumstances are in some way a problem in that the way in which they think, feel or behave is affecting their well-being or quality of life in a manner that is restrictive, distressing or generally unacceptable. Skill acquisition involves five primary phases or sessions: orientation, assessment, brainstorming, rehearsal and operation. The assessment phase, while allowing for wider factors concerning feelings, family relationships and so on to be acknowledged, focuses primarily upon the relationship between the behavior the client wishes to change, the immediate circumstances or antecedent factors which trigger the behavior and the consequences that follow the behavior and which, by definition, have reinforced its continuation throughout. Cognitive therapy seeks to facilitate positive changes in behavior by influencing beliefs and corresponding self talk. Therapeutic intervention should be based upon a thorough understanding of the abusive context.
