Categories: AT Beck, CBT

In the early hours of the morning on November 1, 2021, the founder of Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Aaron T. Beck, passed away in his sleep at the age of 100 years. His development of cognitive therapy led to a revolution in the field of mental health treatment and we will be forever indebted to his contributions. His theories and treatment protocols have empirical support and focus on clients learning skills to change their thinking and as a result, their behaviors and emotions. Instead of doctors prescribing pills for depression, anxiety, OCD, social phobia, and sleep problems, they are able to prescribe cognitive behavior therapy and trust they will see good results in their patients and reduced relapse rates.

Dr. Aaron T. Beck was a man who dedicated his life, his intellect, and all his energy into developing the best psychotherapy approaches that would alleviate pain and suffering and empower people to help themselves. He was our dear friend and we will miss him greatly.
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Categories: CBT, Depression/Hopelessness

As we approach summer here in Southern California, we are aware that many of our friends and colleagues in the Southern Hemisphere are heading into their winter season. This article is a timely reminder that the things we can change such as our thoughts and our behavior, are so powerful that they can actually override the things we cannot change, such as how much sunlight we have each day. 

While light therapy has been shown to be highly effective in treating a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) it only helps about half of the people in subsequent winters. What can give long lasting relief? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tailored for seasonal affective disorder. Why? Simply put, light therapy works only as long as you are using it. But CBT teaches skills that are useful forever.

[READ WASHINGTON POST] This winter depression treatment lasts longer than sitting under a bright light. 

[READ THE ATLANTIC]Therapy Over Lamps for Seasonal Depression: Cognitive behavioral therapy gives longer-term benefits and is less of a time burden than sitting under a light for 30 minutes a day.

[READ MEDICAL NEWS TODAY] Beating the winter blues with cognitive behavioral therapy.

[READ THE RESEARCH ARTICLE] If you are interested, here is the American Journal of Psychiatry article that discuss these very important research findings

Photo credits: winter.depression by Gerald Gabernlg is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Categories: CBT, Mind Over Mood, Mood Tips 

We are pleased that BBC Radio 4 (Woman's Hour) asked Dr Christine A. Padesky to talk about Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Specifically how CBT skills can help people during times of stress. These skills are useful at all times (holidays included)! The interview was first broadcast December 22, 2015.

"Perfectionism is almost always a trap because it robs us of whatever chances we have in life for joy. The antidote to perfectionism is really putting value on small positives that come our way." (Padesky quote from BBC interview)

Categories: AT Beck, CBT

We originally linked to an article in the New York Times on January 11, 2000. The article was titled: "A Pragmatic Man and His No-Nonsense Therapy" and featured Dr Aaron T. Beck at age 78. It describes how he came to develop cognitive therapy and covers his development from a young boy to a brilliant scientist whose endless curiosity led him to develop one of the most successful psychotherapies of all time, Cognitive Therapy.