catherine guelph

Sustaining a relationship, July 18 2004

Aaron T. Beck MD, is the father of cognitive therapy and professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. His books on depression and anxiety broke new ground in the field of psychotherapy by demonstrating the power of breaking the link between automatic thoughts and emotional reactions. He married Judge Phyllis Beck in 1950 and the couple is blessed with children and grandchildren.

I have often been frustrated by the destructive habit patterns that emerge in my relationships. LOVE IS NEVER ENOUGH has helped me to understand their origin and more importantly, how to remove them. It has been a valuable tool not only for my personal but also my spiritual relationships.

Dr… Read more

blue or red pill?, July 4 2004

Morpheus: Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real?  What if you were unable to wake from that dream, Neo? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?
 
René Descartes (1596-1650) chose the "red" pill.  He chose to question the comfortable assumptions of his time.  The work of Copernicus and Galileo had exposed flaws that Descartes sought to resolve.  His scientific attitude, his style of thinking, his method set the trend for the future. As Herr Doktor Hans Küng wrote in his landmark text, _Does God Exist?_, _There is no one who personifies the modern ideal of absolute mathematical-philosophical… Read more

cognito ergo sum, Mar 9 2004

_The key to emotional enlightenment is the knowledge that only [my] thoughts can affect [my] moods_ David D. Burns M.D.

After studying FEELING GOOD, written by Dr. David D. Burns, M.D., I have learned how to change the way that I think about things. I have also found that I can change my basic values and beliefs. This, according to Dr Burns, is what Cognitive Therapy is about.

To be clear, I feel this is an excellent handbook for anyone with an interest in Cognitive Therapy. I strongly believe that a great number of people can find their life's situation improved by following the exercises prescribed by Dr Burns.

At the same time, I don't know that Cognitive Therapy is a cure… Read more