Helping people to change

Within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy there are steps taken for "helping people change". These are broken down into 4 steps.

1. Help the client to understands that their emotions and behaviours are effected by beliefs and thinking.
2. Show how the believes may be changed. Using the ABC Model.
3. Teach the client how to dispute and change irrational thoughts.Here the ABC model can be extended to include- D, E & F. D= disputing irrational beliefs. E=the new effects the client wishes to achieve. i.e new ways of feeling and behaving. F= Further action for the client to take.
4. Help the client to get into action. Acting against irrational beliefs.

The ABC Model A= Activating event. E.g A child not being invited into a game of soccer.
B=Beliefs about the event E.g.Nobody likes me, I'm useless.
C=Consequence. E.g. emotions-hurt, behaviours- avoiding soccer all together.
(A causes B, and B then triggers off C.)

Froggatt, W. (2006). A Brief Introduction to Cognitive- Behaviour Therapy. New Zealand.