Cognitive-behavioral therapy is arguably the most evidence-based of all counseling and psychotherapy approaches. With roots in Adlerian therapy and substantial influences from Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, and others, the cognitive component of CBT involves therapists working with clients to help develop awareness of automatic thoughts — thoughts that have an adverse or maladaptive affect on client emotions and behaviors. Once clients have awareness of their automatic and maladaptive thinking, cognitive therapists work collaboratively with clients to question the usefulness of the thoughts, possibly even actively disputing them, and eventually revising or replacing them with more adaptive or helpful thoughts.

This past spring and summer, Rita and I produced a DVD with demonstrations of 11 different theory-based counseling and psychotherapy approaches. Our publisher, John Wiley & Sons, recently posted a clip (or teaser) of this cognitive therapy video. In the clip I’m demonstrating the five column technique popularized by Albert Ellis. What I think is most interesting about this clip is the how the five column technique is used as a platform for exploring the client’s anxiety . . . while at the same time, a unique, spontaneous, and collaborative relationship between therapist and client is developing.

If you like, you can watch this video clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ8hNDHoyDU&list=UUDoXxitLiq5PMruS7AbBJbA&index=1&feature=plcp