Review
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“What was already an invaluable resource is further improved with
the updated second edition. Beck describes the nuts and bolts of
cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and brings therapeutic processes
and techniques to life through session narratives and case
examples. New to this edition is a 'What if…' feature that offers
valuable answers to common clinical questions, which extend
beyond the basics. This text is essential reading for individuals
learning CBT and a key reference for more seasoned therapists. It
should be on the bookshelf of every mental professional
and used in every graduate course on CBT.”--David J. A. Dozois,
PhD, Professor and Director, Clinical Psychology Graduate
Program, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario,
Canada
“The practicality of Beck's revised therapy guide is just plain
impressive. Here are the building blocks of excellent cognitive
behavior therapy (CBT), taught with wonderful skill and
sensitivity in a manner that engages new learners and experienced
clinicians equally. This is an outstanding basic text for
training mental clinicians of all disciplines, and is
especially useful for courses on general psychotherapy, CBT, or
adult psychiatric problems. Numerous case illustrations clarify
both the principles and practice of CBT; the extended example
helps newcomers understand how to use specific methods over the
entire course of . It is hard to imagine that any
aspiring clinician would not benefit greatly from reading this
book.”--Gail Steketee, PhD, MSW, Dean and Professor, School of
Social Work, Boston University
“In addition to the fundamental aspects of cognitive behavior
therapy (CBT) that were presented in the original volume, the
second edition presents innovations in theory and clinical
practice. Like its predecessor, this book is destined to be an
international success. It is written in clear and compelling
prose, with many practical suggestions and clinical vignettes.
This is truly an essential book for anyone who wants to become
expert in CBT.”--Keith S. Dobson, PhD, Department of Psychology,
University of Calgary, Canada
“CBT sometimes appears ‘deceptively simple,’ as the author
notes, but a range of skills are required to deliver this form of
in a competent and ethical manner. Beck elegantly
presents these skills in this readable, appealing book. She not
only describes CBT techniques, but also applies them in an
in-depth case example that makes the elements of come
alive. Students often remark that they need to be given an
example showing how something is done before they can grasp it.
Beck accomplishes that in a way that I think will build the
practitioner’s confidence and mastery. This book has already
be to influence my teaching, and I plan to use it as a
required text in my introductory practice course.”--Michael Paul
Melendez, PhD, LICSW, Simmons College School of Social Work
“When this book was originally published, it represented a
tremendous advance in the teaching and dissemination of CBT. Now
Beck has truly retooled and improved the original. Beginning
therapists will appreciate the step-by-step approach to the
patient that Beck, a master teacher and clinician, presents with
such clarity and with detailed rationales and session
transcripts. This second edition is a classic made better for
anyone interested in teaching or learning CBT.”--Donna M. Sudak,
MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Senior Associate Training Director,
and Director of Psychotherapy Training, Drexel University College
of Medicine
“According to the many clinical psychology students I have
helped train, this has been far and away the single most useful
book they have read in their careers. The fundamentals of CBT are
presented comprehensively, yet in crystal-clear fashion, with
straightforward prose, a wealth of sample dialogues, helpful
diagrams, and informative tables. New material on behavioral
activation, homework, the therapeutic relationship, and more
makes a terrific book even better. This is a text that deserves
to be read―and reread―from cover to cover, whether you are a
student learning CBT for the first time or an experienced
clinician.”--Evan M. Forman, PhD, Director, PhD Program in
Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
“This book is a treasure. It is an excellent practical reference
that covers all aspects of cognitive behavior therapy. The second
edition incorporates much new material arising from the last two
decades of research and practice, exemplifying the
scientist-practitioner approach. The reference list is greatly
d, and new material is provided on cognitive behavioral
approaches to various diagnostic groups, the incorporation of
‘third-wave’ strategies like mindfulness and acceptance, and the
crucial importance of the therapeutic alliance and collaborative
case conceptualization. This volume will be referred to again and
again, by clinicians at every level.”--Ann Hackmann, DClinPsych,
University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford
Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
“Anyone who wants to find out about cognitive behavior therapy
and how to apply it in practice need look no further. The second
edition of Beck’s excellent, bestselling book provides an
easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to delivering the various
elements of CBT. The book offers a comprehensive introduction for
those new to CBT, with illustrative case examples throughout; it
is also an essential resource for experienced cognitive
therapists who want to brush up on their knowledge and skills. It
should definitely be a core text in every CBT training
program.”--Alison Brabban, DClinPsych, Durham University, United
Kingdom
“I am a true fan (and 16-year adopter) of this text.
Instructors, students, and clinicians have been eagerly awaiting
an updated version of Beck’s classic guide to CBT and this second
edition should exceed their lofty expectations. It retains the
clarity, accessibility, thoughtful sequencing, and practical
relevance of the original, while enhancing coverage of critical
content pertaining to assessment, case conceptualization, core
techniques, and the therapeutic relationship. Attentive to both
the art and science of CBT, this volume is a ‘must read’ for
graduate students and clinicians who are looking to build or
sharpen their CBT skills.”--Drew Erhardt, PhD, Graduate School of
Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University
“This book is well suited for teaching the basics of cognitive
therapy to students new to the field, or for providing a detailed
review for more seasoned professionals in your classroom.
Clinicians trained in other modalities will learn ways to use
cognitive techniques to help clients explore how their thoughts,
emotional reactions and behaviors are related―and to facilitate
change and growth. This is an essential text for cognitive
therapy courses.”--Mark McGrosky, MSW, LCSW, doctoral candidate
and adjunct lecturer, Silver School of Social Work, New York
University (on the first edition)
“I have used Judith Beck’s book for my advanced direct practice
course since 1999. I have reviewed many textbooks over the years,
but always return to this one as my basic text. The price is
reasonable for my students and the concepts are easy to
understand, with highlighted summaries and dialogues illustrating
the execution of interventions. The second edition is even
better, with the addition of chapters on evaluation and
behavioral activation. My students consistently give feedback
that the text delivers the fundamentals of CBT in an effective,
inful, and pragmatic format.”--Lynn Coghill, MSW, LCSW, MSW
Program Director, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
“When I want students to learn how to conduct cognitive therapy,
Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond is the first book I
assign. Before I assigned this book for the first time, I reread
it to make certain it was as useful as I remembered. It was―and
to my surprise, I even found that many of what I had come to
think of as my own special ins in training supervisees were
actually right there on the page. When students have mastered
this text, Judith Beck’s Cognitive Therapy for Challenging
Problems is a natural (and useful) next step.”--Thomas L.
Rodebaugh, PhD, Department of Psychology, Washington University
in St. Louis (on the first edition)
“This excellent introduction to CBT offers enough detail to give
students the ability to begin to practice, and is sufficiently
broad to allow students to apply CBT across a range of client
problems. It also makes an excellent addition to a new
therapist’s library, serving as a reference for years after
graduate school.”--R. Lyle Cooper, PhD, LCSW, College of Social
Work, University of Tennessee (on the first edition)
“The text offers clear guidance on how to structure sessions and
how to conceptualize clients using the cognitive model. The case
interwoven throughout the text helps students see the process in
action. I have used this book for several semesters with graduate
students who find it helpful in expanding their understanding of
CBT and developing their clinical skills.”--Michael Likier, PhD,
Adjunct Professor, Department of Professional Psychology and
Family Therapy, Seton Hall University (on the first edition)
“This book has served as the fundamental text for my graduate
psychology course on empirically supported interventions for
adults for many years. Beck’s clear and crisp writing style, use
of multiple case examples, and inclusion of helpful handouts and
worksheets make this text a ‘must have’ for any teacher who would
like to provide students with a solid grounding in cognitive
therapy.”--Jennifer S. Kirby, PhD, Department of Psychology,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (on the first
edition)
About the Author
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Judith S. Beck, PhD, is President of the Beck Institute for
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (www.beckinstitute.org), which
provides state-of-the-art training in CBT and offers online
courses on a variety of CBT topics, including Essentials of CBT:
The Beck Approach. She is also Clinical Associate Professor of
Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School
of Medicine. She has written nearly 100 articles and chapters as
well as several books for professionals and consumers; has made
hundreds of presentations, nationally and internationally, on
topics related to CBT; and is the codeveloper of the Beck Youth
Inventories and the Personality Belief Questionnaire. Dr. Beck is
a founding fellow and past president of the Academy of Cognitive
Therapy.