Practicing Positive CBT

Fredrike Bannink is a clinical psychologist and Master of Dispute Resolution based in Amsterdam. She is an internationally recognized cognitive behavioral therapist and trainer, and co-founder and Chair of the Solution-Focused CBT Section of the Dutch Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy.

• About the Author ix Foreword xPreface xiiStory: The Hundredth Monkey xivAcknowledgments xvPART I THEORY 11 What is CBT? 3Introduction 3CBT Techniques 4Empirical Evidence 52 What is Positive CBT? 7Introduction 7Shortcomings of the Problem-Solving Paradigm 8Story 2.1: How to Not Be Unhappy 10Towards a Strengths and Solutions Paradigm 10Notes on Learning Theory 16Story 2.2: I Can Choose 16Changing Role of the Therapist 16Differences Between Traditional CBT and Positive CBT – An Overview 17Story 2.3: Looking for Problems? 173 Possibilities of Positive CBT 19Introduction 19What is Positive in Traditional CBT? 20Possibilities of Positive CBT 314 Two Positive Sources 34Introduction 34Source 1: Positive Psychology 35Story 4.1: The Power of Positive Emotions 41Source 2: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 41Story 4.2: Do Something Different for a Change 42Story 4.3: Working from the Future Back 49Short Comparison Between Positive Psychology and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 50Empirical Evidence 50Neuroscience 51Story 4.4: The Drip System 55The Body 59PART II APPLICATIONS 615 Enhancing the Therapeutic Alliance 63Introduction 63Building a Positive Alliance 64Offering Acknowledgment 65Story 5.1: Acknowledging the Problem 66Enhancing Hope 66Story 5.2: The Archer 69Story 5.3: The Power of Hope 70Reinforcing Strengths and “What Works” 70Enhancing Cooperation 72Story 5.4: Misery I Love You! 74Story 5.5: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody 766 Assessment 77Introduction 77Case Conceptualization 77Assessing Goals 79Story 6.1: Top Performers 86Assessing Problems, Complaints, and Constraints 87Assessing Strengths and Resources 88Assessing Progress, Motivation, Hope, and Confi dence 90Story 6.2: At the Car Wash 92Assessing Motivation to Change 93Positive Self-monitoring 93Positive Functional Behavior Analysis 957 Changing the Viewing 99Introduction 99Acknowledging Feelings and the Past 99Changing What the Client is Paying Attention to 101Story 7.1: Finding the “Bright Spots” 102Story 7.2: The Dog I Feed Most 110Story 7.3: Shake it Off and Step Up 111Focusing on What the Client Wants in the Future 114Challenging Unhelpful Beliefs 115Using a Spiritual Perspective 1248 Changing the Doing 128Introduction 128Story 8.1: For a Change Do Something Different 128Changing Repetitive Patterns 129Story 8.2: Sail Away From the Safe Harbor 130Noticing What the Client is Doing When Things are Going Better 131Story 8.3: Chocolate-chip Cookies 1339 Changing the Feeling 138Introduction 138Reducing Negative Emotions 138Building Positive Emotions 140Balancing Positive and Negative Emotions 145Story 9.1: Consider a Sail-boat 147Story 9.2: The Nun Study 148Positive Emotions in the Medical Setting 14810 Homework Assignments 152Introduction 152General Suggestions 153Basic Homework Assignments 156Self-monitoring 157Behavioral Experiments 160Routine Outcome Measurement 165Story 10.1: Brilliant Insights 166Refl ecting on the Session 17011 Subsequent Sessions 173Introduction 173Progress 174Behavior Maintenance 180Failures 185Story 11.1: Ten Million Dollars Lost 190Concluding Therapy 19012 Role of the Positive CBT Therapist 193Introduction 193Watering the Flowers 193Role of the Positive CBT Therapist 194Supertherapists 196Easy and Fun 198The Alliance Revisited 200Microanalysis 200Benefi ts for Therapists 203PART III MORE APPLICATIONS 20713 Positive CBT with Couples and Groups 209Introduction 209Positive CBT with Couples 210Story 13.1: The Norway Feedback Project 213Positive CBT with Groups 21514 Positive CBT with Children and Families 219Introduction 219Positive CBT with Children 220Story 14.1: Little Squid 222Positive CBT with Families 232Transcultural Positive CBT 23615 Positive CBT in the Workplace 237Introduction 237Positive CBT in a Team 238Story 15.1: We Can Learn From Geese 239Positive CBT in an Organization 243Story 15.2: Swarm Intelligence 245Story 15.3: What You Give is What You Get 24816 Positive CBT and the Future 250Introduction 250Research 250Training 25117 FAQ 255Introduction 25520 Questions and Answers 255Epilog 264Story: On the Other Side 264Web Sites 265Appendix A Protocols for the First Session 268Appendix B Protocol for Finding Exceptions 270Appendix C Protocol for Subsequent Sessions 272Appendix D Positive FBA Interview 274Appendix E Externalization of the Problem 275Appendix F Interactional Matrix (Changing Perspectives) 276Appendix G Questionnaire for the Referrer 278Appendix H Exceptions Journal 279Appendix I Session Rating Scale (SRS) 281References 282Author Index 294Subject Index 298

“It was a refreshing read and highlighted the need for clinicians to regularly review their approach and push for positive psychological wellbeing for their clients and themselves beyond distress reducction.”  (Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1 June 2013)