Cognitive therapy (CT), developed by Aaron Beck in the US in the 1960s, is a structured, time-limited, problem-focused and research-based system of psychotherapy which seeks to identify, examine and modify clients? maladaptive thinking found in psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. The vast literature on CT can appear overwhelming to those interested in practising this therapy. To address this issue, this book serves as an introduction to CT and demonstrates this approach in action. In this book, the reader will find:

• Key Features of CT theory and practice examined
• Presentation of a case example from assessment to treatment and termination of therapy
• Ways to elicit and tackle negative automatic thoughts and underlying beliefs
• Important points to consider in the design, negotiation and review of homework assignments
• Typical client and therapist difficulties in therapy addressed

. Windy Dryden, BSc, DipPsych, MSc, PhD, C Psychol, is Professor of Counselling at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is the editor or author of over 125 books in the area of counselling and psychotherapy. His primary interests are rational emotive behaviour therapy and disseminating its theory and techniques to the general public, through writing short, accessible, self-help books.