Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy, an approach to changing core beliefs in CBT

Core beliefs (CBs), are considered the most deeply held ideas people have about themselves, others, and the world. Such CBs drive assumptions and automatic thoughts about the world and contribute to maladaptive attributional styles that interfere with functioning and intended outcomes in living. When CBs are not adequately addressed in therapy they are a risk factor for recurrence of most psychiatric disorders. In this virtual presentation,  attendees will be introduced to an integrative and experiential approach to CBT called Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy (TBCT) that may be more effective at changing belief systems than conventional thought records and logical disputation. Attendees will observe Dr. de Oliveira implement TBCT to identify and modify CBs about the self in a role play demonstration. Attendees will be introduced to the three-level, three-phase, case formulation approach of TBCT, for which the foundation is  CBT. Attendees will observe implementation of  one of TBCT’s main innovative techniques, the Trial-Based Thought Record (TBTR), a structured strategy that is presented as an analogy with Law, and in which the therapist engages the client in a simulation of the judicial process, to strengthen the “inner defense attorney” rather than the critical “inner prosecutor”.

CE Learning Objectives

Following this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe the CBT  model to the patient according to TBCT conceptualization diagram
• Describe the steps for implementing the “Trial-Based Thought Record” strategy in clinical practice
• List and implement strategies for assessing the impact of TBCT on changing patients’ CBs

About Presenter

Irismar Reis de Oliveira, MD, PhD, is a full Professor of Psychiatry at the Federal University of Bahia, in Brazil. His background includes activities as an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Head of the Psychiatry Service at the same university. He is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy (ABCT); Brazilian Association of Psychiatry; and a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (ACT). He has written 120 articles, 20 book chapters and has edited/published six books. He developed Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy (www.trialbasedcognitivetherapy.com), and has trained therapists in the USA, Brazil and other countries in this model.

Target Audience

This presentation is intended for licensed mental health professionals and advanced graduate student trainees seeking licensure and with some clinical experience. The instructional level of this presentation is intermediate.

Continuing Education

• Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists*. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• This program provides three (3) hours of CE credits.
• PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed.
• * PBTA does not currently offer CE to practitioners licensed in the state of New York.

Recommended Readings:

1.    De-Oliveira, I. R. (2015). De-Oliveira, I. R. (2015). Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy: A Manual for Clinicians. Routledge, New York, 208 p.

2.    De-Oliveira, I. R. (2016). Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge, New York, 155 p.