Why Dieters Struggle: A Cognitive Behavioral Viewpoint

In this video clip from her “Beck Diet Solution” workshop, Dr. Judith Beck explains that it isn’t the fault of dieters that they fail; rather, no one ever taught them the cognitive (thinking) and behavioral skills they need to make permanent changes in their eating. She offers an analogy of learning to play the piano: To be successful in mastering any new activity, people need to learn and practice essential techniques in a graded fashion.  To attend a Beck Diet Solution Workshop, visit www.beckinstitute.org/cbt-training/diet-workshops.

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CBT Via Video Teleconferencing is Effective for PTSD in Vets

According to a recent pilot study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) delivered via video teleconferencing is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants in the current study included 13 veterans diagnosed with PTSD at VA clinics in the Hawaiian Islands; each was randomly assigned to receive group cognitive processing therapy (a form of cognitive behavior therapy originally developed by Patricia Resick, Ph.D.) in an in-person therapy group or video teleconferencing therapy group. According to results, both groups displayed reductions in PTSD symptoms, without between-group differences on process outcome variables. In addition, participants in each group expressed high levels of treatment credibility, satisfaction with treatment, and homework adherence. A full randomized control trial (RCT) is currently underway to more rigorously evaluate the clinical effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy delivered via video teleconferencing.

To find out more about Beck Institute’s Soldier Suicide Prevention initiative visit www.cbtforsoldiers.org.

Morland, L. A., Hynes, A. K., Mackintosh, M., Resick, P. A., & Chard, K. M. (2011). Group cognitive processing therapy delivered to veterans via telehealth: A pilot cohort. Journal Of Traumatic Stress, 24(4), 465-469. doi:10.1002/jts.20661

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March 12 – 14, 2012, Cognitive Behavior Therapy Workshop

Social workers, psychiatrists, family physicians, nurses, psychologists, graduate students, and other professionals from mental health, medical, and related fields traveled from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Latvia, United Kingdom, and thirteen U.S. states.

Workshop participants engaged in dyadic roleplay to practice CBT skills.

Workshop participants agreed that the diversity of the classroom enriched the learning experience. Participants received professional training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy from Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., Rosanna Sposato, Psy.D., and other Beck Institute faculty.

Dr. Judith Beck (pictured above) lectured on CBT for depression and instructed participants on how to: establish a strong therapeutic alliance; educate patients about their diagnosis; explain the cognitive model; elicit expectations for treatment; socialize patients to treatment; and, most importantly, instill hope.

Dr. Rosanna Sposato (left) lectured on CBT for Anxiety (including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder). Dr. Sposato explained cognitive behavior therapists must focus on the catastrophic thoughts patients have about their symptoms. For example, a patient with panic disorder might believe that the increase in his heart rate and chest pain he is experiencing means he is about to have a heart attack. One of the ways that CBT has been elaborated and expanded upon has been the development of a cognitive formulation for each of the different disorders, as well as the development of specific techniques for each disorder. Cognitive behavior therapists must determine the key cognitions and behaviors of each individual patient and use their conceptualization to plan treatment.

Click here to learn more about CBT workshops at Beck Institute.

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Developing A Healthy Diet For The Rest Of Your Life

Dr. Judith Beck introduces her book, The Beck Diet Solution, at a workshop for coaches and dieters. She explains the importance of developing an eating plan that can be sustained for life, and which includes favorite foods. To attend a Beck Diet Solution Workshop with Dr. Judith Beck and Deborah Beck Busis, LSW, visit www.beckinstitute.org/cbt-training/diet-workshops.

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VA-Treated Patients Respond Positively to PTSD Treatment

According to a recent meta-analytic review published in Psychological Reports, VA-treated patients respond more positively to PTSD treatment and fare better (66% in the current review) than patients in non-VA control conditions. Twenty-four PTSD studies were selected for inclusion; each study was classified into four treatment categories: (1) exposure-based studies, (2) other cognitive behavioral studies, (3) inpatient studies, and (4) miscellaneous treatment. Of the four treatment categories, exposure-based treatment had the highest within-group effect size. These findings are encouraging for patients with PTSD who seek treatment at Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Goodson, J., Helstrom, A., Halpern, J.M., Ferenchak, M.P., Gillihan, S.J., & Powers, M.B., (2011). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in U.S. combat veterans: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Reports, 109, 573-599.

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Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Dr. Aaron Beck discusses his experience in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and some of the strategies he used early in his career. Dr. Beck explains how using what he learned from the behavior movement and Albert Ellis he was able to modify his therapeutic strategies to be more effective.  Click here to learn more about Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

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CBT is Effective in Primary Health Care

A recent study published in Family Practice reviewed research on the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in the treatment of depression and anxiety in primary care clinics. Researchers conducted a literature review of seventeen studies, eight of which evaluated the effectiveness of supported computer-based CBT in primary care. They discovered that CBT in primary care is more effective than generic care and that primary care therapists (e.g., practice nurses, general practitioners, social workers and other therapists without specialized training in delivering structured psychological therapy) provide CBT effectively. This is especially true when CBT incorporates computer-based treatment or internet-based self-help programs, used widely in the UK.

Heifedt, R.S., Strem, C., Koistrup, N., Eisermann, M., Waterlo, K., (2011). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy in primary health care: a review. Family Practice, 28, 489-504.

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Dr. Aaron Beck’s Current Research

Dr. Aaron Beck discusses his current work with leading researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Beck is working with patients with difficult cases of schizophrenia. His team has tried to undercut the negative attitude of the participants by giving them a series of successful experiences to build their confidence. Instilling positive affect provides motivation. Dr. Beck is hopeful that this research will yield far-reaching results. To ask Dr. Beck your question we invite you to attend a Beck Institute workshop. Register today for our next workshop at www.beckinstitute.org/cbt-workshops.

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CBT for Drug Addiction and PTSD via Wearable Sensor Platform and Mobile Application

Researchers from the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) are currently examining the effects of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) delivered via mobile device to patients suffering from drug-addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The delivery system involves an ankle sensor (to monitor electrodermal activity, 3-axis acceleration, and temperature) and an ECG heart monitor. The monitors contain bluetooths which are connected to patients’ cell phones. When certain arousal levels are detected via the monitoring system, therapeutic messages are delivered by text to patients’ cell phones. The effectiveness of this system is being evaluated.

Fletcher RR, Tam S, Omojola O, Redemske R, Kwan J.(2011). Wearable sensor platform and mobile application for use in cognitive behavioral therapy for drug addiction and PTSD. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc., 1802-5.

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February 20 – 22, 2012, Cognitive Behavior Therapy Workshop Level II: Personality Disorders and Challenging Problems

Earlier this week Beck Institute held the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Workshop Level II. This workshop focuses on CBT for personality disorders and challenging problems. Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, councilors, and other professionals traveled from all over the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Turkey, and thirteen U.S. states, to receive training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Participants received professional training from Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., Amy Cunningham, Ph.D.  Lectures and role-plays emphasized the need for the therapeutic alliance in order to differentiate the therapist from everyone else.  The need to identify core beliefs and automatic thoughts as soon as possible was also stressed.  Dr. Beck demonstrated how to identify automatic thoughts, core beliefs and conditional assumptions through case conceptualization role-play.

CBT Interventions for Borderline Personality Disorder

Dr. Amy Cunningham (right) demonstrated how to use a variety of CBT interventions for treating clients with Borderline Personality Disorder. Dr. Cunningham encouraged workshop participants to role-play with one another to practice CBT techniques.

One of the highlights of the workshop was watching Dr. Aaron Beck (top-left) conduct a live patient session.  Dr. Beck started the session with a mood check and followed with setting the agenda.   Following the patient interview, Dr. Beck led a case discussion with workshop participants emphasizing in-session use of the cognitive model. All participants are pictured (below) with both Drs. Beck.

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