How and Why Thoughts Change: Foundations of Cognitive Psychotherapy

by Ian M. Evans

Overview

Cognitive therapy, a core approach within a collection of psychotherapeutic techniques known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is fundamentally about changing peoples' thoughts-helping them overcome difficulties by recognizing and changing dysfunctional thinking styles. Among other strategies, it requires encouraging the development of skills for rehearsing new habits of thought, modifying biases in judging and interpreting social and emotional information, and for testing assumptions underlying dysfunctional and negative, distorted thinking.

In How and Why Thoughts Change, Dr. Ian Evans deconstructs the nature of cognitive therapy by examining the cognitive element of CBT, that is, how and why thoughts change behavior and emotion. There are a number of different approaches to cognitive therapy, including the classic Beck approach, the late Albert Ellis's rational-emotive psychotherapy, Young's schema-focused therapy, and newer varieties such as mindfulness training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and problem-solving strategies. Evans identifies the common principles underlying these methods, attempts to integrate them, and makes suggestions as to how our current cognitive therapies might be improved. He draws on a broad survey of contemporary research on basic cognitive processes and integrates these with therapeutic approaches.

While it may seem obvious that how and what we think determines how and in what manner we behave, the relationship between thought and action is not a simple one. Evans addresses questions such as: What is the difference between a thought and a belief? How do we find the cause of a thought? And can it really be that thought causes behavior and emotion, or could it be the other way around? In a reader-friendly style that avoids jargon, this innovative book answers some pertinent questions about cognitive therapy in a way that clarifies exactly how and why thoughts change. Evans demonstrates that understanding these concepts is a linchpin to providing and improving therapy for clients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199380848
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/09/2015
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Ian Evans completed his PhD in experimental and clinical psychology in 1970 at the Institute of Psychiatry, London University, under the supervision of Hans J. Eysenck. His first academic position was at the University of Hawaii, before moving to the State University of New York at Binghamton where he was director of clinical training for 12 years. He then moved to New Zealand and directed a clinical program as well as later being Head of School of Psychology at Massey University. His research interests include positive approaches to challenging behavior in children with severe disabilities, the emotional development of children at home and at school, and the theory, practice, and ethics of culturally informed cognitive-behavior therapy.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction: Cogito Ergo Sum

Chapter 2: Changing Thoughts in Practice: The Basic Concepts of Cognitive Therapies

Chapter 3: Thinking About Thoughts

Chapter 4: The "Stream" of Consciousness: Mind-wandering, Introspection, Rumination,
Meditation, and Mindfulness

Chapter 5: Distorted Thoughts

Chapter 6: How Thoughts Influence Mood and Feelings-Or Is It the Other Way Around?

Chapter 7: How Thoughts Lead to Action-and Why They Sometimes Do Not

Chapter 8: General Principles of How and Why Thoughts Change

Chapter 9: Can Cognitive Treatments Be Enhanced?

References

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

"The book is refreshingly non-partisan and does not attempt to convince the reader of the superiority of any particular approach to cognitive psychotherapy. Instead it discusses essential concepts, reviews the most important research in a clear and succinct way, and helps readers draw their own conclusions about the value of any particular approach. Rather than concentrating on unhelpful 'problematic' thinking, this book focuses on thinking that is constructive—that does us good, solves problems, improves relationships, and leads to better mental health including positive feelings and positive behavior change. The author's highly personable, non-technical, clear, and occasionally humorous writing style makes the content not only accessible to academics but to anyone interested in modern psychotherapy."
— Georg H. Eifert, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University

"Further advancing How and Why People Change (Evans, 2013), Evans presents the 'broadest possible interpretation of what cognitive therapy is all about' in this remarkable synthesis of diverse cognitive therapies with plenty of clinical case examples. Written in a beautiful style, How and Why Thoughts Change is a must-read for graduate students and professional clinical psychologists to appreciate general principles and methods of positive cognitive change in psychotherapies."
—Junko Tanaka-Matsumi, Ph.D., Dean, School of Humanities, and Professor of Psychology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan, and Professor Emeritus, Hofstra University

"Evidence-based accounts of cognitive change in psychological therapies are still in the process of being refined. In this latest contribution, Dr. Ian Evans provides an important and timely conceptual synthesis of change mechanisms and how interventions directly and indirectly target a client's negatively biased thought content and process. The result is an elegant account of cognitive and cognitive-behavior therapies that will be useful for individualized case formulation and treatment planning, and the provision of clear rationales for interventions during consultation sessions." - Nikolaos Kazantzis, PhD, Associate Professor and Director the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Research Unit, Monash University, and author of The Therapeutic Relationship in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive and Behavior Theories in Clinical Practice

Featured in PsycCRITIQUES

"This highly important, intensely well thought out and important book...should be a required one-two combination in every graduate clinical program dealing with provision of psychotherapy, psychotherapy theory, or exploration of learning and learning theory. It is very thought-provoking, clear, thorough, and well done."
—Child & Family Behavior Therapy

"The occasional use of clinical examples, transcripts and poetry, add interest and further illustrate points raised." -The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy

From the Publisher