By Aaron T. Beck, MD, and Molly R. Finkel, MSEd Where do the harsh, persecutory voices experienced by individuals with serious mental illness emanate from? We suggest that the harsh voices and paranoia may be learned from experience as vulnerable individuals monitor the commands and criticisms from one’s family and societal/cultural groups. Alternatively, they may be embedded from our mammalian heritage and re-activated by one’s current circumstances. In order to…
Category: Aaron T. Beck
Psychopathology and Psychotherapy
By Aaron T. Beck, MD, and Molly R. Finkel, MSEd In everyday life, many transient cognitions (automatic thoughts) serve the purpose of alerting the individual to a problem or new stimuli. After these cognitions are activated, individuals then experience a variety of affects, which also serve an alerting function, and tend to be more compelling compared to cognitions. When individuals are in a psychopathological state, their cognitions and affects also…
The Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) Difference: Activating Positive Cognitions Rather than Deactivating Negative Cognitions
This recent article by Dr. Aaron T. Beck describes the biological underpinnings of an individual’s responses to various situations, and how these responses can create cognitive biases that may influence an individual’s personality and potential psychological disorders. It then explains a recent shift in psychology, from centering therapy on the correction of negative symptoms and maladaptive adaptations to a holistic approach to understanding an individual and activating their personality. This…
25 Years and Counting: Dr. Judith S. Beck’s Address at our 25th Anniversary Celebration
Dr. Judith S. Beck addresses the crowd at Beck Institute’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Responding to Stressors and Building Resilience in Individuals with Schizophrenia
When a schizophrenic individual is subjected to minor traumas, the hurt to their self-esteem may be neutralized by having built up resilience in the form of a number of positive beliefs about themselves.
New Pathways in Cognitive Therapy for Severe Disorders
It is imperative to map out the ways in which Recovery Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) addresses these disorders and successfully and collaboratively works with individuals to reach their aspirations and stay on the pathway toward recovery.