The cognitive approach states that depression can be treated by changing a person’s thoughts and beliefs.
Ellis - ABC model
ABC stands for:
Activating event - this is the thing that causes the thoughts and feelings
Belief - this is the person’s thoughts about the activating event (how they interpret it). In the depressed person, the belief may be irrational.
Consequences - in terms of emotions and actions.
Cognitive therapists
if a depressed person’s beliefs are changed, they will start to interpret events more realistically, resulting in healthier emotions and more proportionate responses to events.
