Institute

Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies

Dr. Aaron T. Beck is has earned an international reputation as one of the founders of Cognitive Therapy, which is an active, structured approach that has been demonstrated to be highly effective in treating psychological conditions like depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, personality disorders, and relationship problems.

Contact Information

Leonard A. Doerfler, Ph.D., Director, Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies

doerfler@assumption.edu

Location

Kennedy Hall - Room 133

Dr. Beck's pioneering work on depression profoundly altered the way this disorder is understood and treated. Dr. Beck and his colleagues systematically extended the initial work on depression to conditions as diverse as anxiety and phobias, personality disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, marital discord, and schizophrenia. Extensive research demonstrates that Cognitive Therapy provides an effective treatment for a variety of conditions that had largely been treated with medication.

Dr. Beck is University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1995 Assumption College awarded him a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honorary) degree for his contributions to the development of Cognitive Therapy. The Institute was established in 1996 and enjoys Dr. Beck's active support and involvement. He has visited campus several times in recent years to lecture on Cognitive Therapy and to meet with the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program's faculty and graduate students.

The Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies attracts CBT practitioners from around the globe to present and attend workshops and lectures.

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Events

May 15 Fri

Treating Children who are Too Scared to Talk: Evidence Based Interventions for Youth with Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism (SM) is an often-misunderstood anxiety disorder that impacts approximately 1.3% of children. Most commonly emerging in early childhood, SM is characterized by the persistent inability to speak in certain social situations, despite the display of age appropriate speech in other situa...

May 15, 2020

12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

La Maison Francaise/Salon

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy & The Institute

Cognitive therapy (also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) helps people examine their self-defeating thoughts and to solve problems in their daily life. It does this by helping them analyze and change thinking that is negative or distorted, which can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, interpersonal and relationship problems, alcohol or drug abuse, or stress. Cognitive therapy does not focus only on negative thinking, but instead helps people gain a better understanding of the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. As a result, cognitive therapists focus on helping people change destructive and unhealthy behaviors to more positive and adaptive ones.

Cognitive therapy is a problem-focused therapy that helps people change their thoughts, feelings, and actions by using proven treatments that are firmly based on scientific research. Cognitive therapy has been shown to be effective for a wide variety of psychological and interpersonal problems and for some problems (e.g., anxiety), it is the treatment of choice. Cognitive therapy usually focuses on current situations and problems and it is often effective in a brief period of time.
Leonard Doerfler, PH.D.

Cognitive Behavioral Case Formulation and Treatment Planning for Substance Use Disorders

Michelle Bovin, PH.D

PTSD Assessment and Its Relevance to Treatment

Donna M. Sudak, M.D.

Making Supervision More Effective

Donna Pincus, PH.D.

Helping Children to Grow Up Brave: Evidence- Based Strategies for Helping Youth Overcome Fear, Stress and Anxiety

Peter W. Moran, PH.D., M.S.

Insomnia: A Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Approach

Ashley Hart, PH.D

Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Jeffrey S. Danforth, PH.D.

Parent training for families of children with ADHD and co-occurring conduct problems

Peter W. Moran PH.D., M.S

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Adults: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach

Raymond Chip Tafrate, PH.D.

Critical Issues in the Conceptualization and Treatment of Anger

Leonard A. Doerfler, PH.D.

Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy For Substance Use Disorders
SOCIAL WORKERS:

Application has been made to the MA Chapter

of the NASW for Continuing Education Units.

Contact Sue Volungis at 508-767-7390.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS:

The Clinical Counseling Psychology Program at

Assumption College has been approved by NBCC

as an Approved Continuing Education Provider,

ACEP No. 4009. The Clinical

Counseling Psychology Program

at Assumption College is solely

responsible for all aspects

of the programs.

Assumption's Response to COVID-19

Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies

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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy & The Institute

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A Catholic college located in the heart of New England in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption College strives to form graduates known for their critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship, and compassionate service.