Cognitive Behavioral Primer

The Cognitive Behavioral Primer provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the powerful techniques that have developed over the past twenty years and are now in widespread use in a variety of human service settings. The primer provides an overview of how cognitive behavioral methods are used to reshape anti-social thinking patterns and help clients learn new thinking skills for solving problems.

While cognitive behavioural programs have been shown to provide the most potent treatment methods for reducing recidivism in offender populations, there is still much confusion about the nature of such interventions in the field. In correctional settings, cognitive behavioral programs help clients become aware of thought distortions that produce specific non-adaptive behavioral patterns. Interventions focus on challenging and correcting criminal thinking within a non-judgmental context so that clients can learn to alter their thinking and emotional reactions in ways that reduce their tendency toward criminal behavior. This two-day Cognitive Behavioral Primer is intended to provide an overview of these methods that have gained such strong research support.

Although the primer is not intended to provide sufficient information for running cognitive behavioral programs, the content allows participants to gain a better understanding of how these methods can be used in both group and individual contexts. With this knowledge, staff are in a better position to support clients participating in cognitive behavioural programs and to coach youth in the acquisition of cognitive skills and in restructuring anti-social thought patterns.

After participating in this training, staff will be able to:

• Define the key concepts and guiding practices of CB interventions.
• Describe how CB interventions influence behavioral change.
• Teach and use a number of CB strategies in their work with adults and youth.
• Reinforce the transfer of learning outside of the classroom.
• Monitor the clients’ progress in applying cognitive skills effectively.
• Model and reinforce new ways of interacting with clients.

The Cog-B Primer provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the powerful techniques that have developed over the past twenty years for use in a variety of human service settings.