1
Christian Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CCBT)
The Importance of Beliefs
(Brian Campbell, Ph.D.)
Resource: What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Wikipedia: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
The outline below was formulated based upon the information that is required in your
Personal Theory Paper (PTP). This information will form the basis of your personal
theory. The outline emphasizes the role that beliefs play in the development of
psychological disorders.
What is Important for Understanding Human Personality?












To understand human personality, it is important to understand the nature and
impact of beliefs that people hold
What is a belief?
Belief: something we assume to be true
Not all beliefs are, in reality, true
Some beliefs systems are adaptive and lead to mental health
Other belief systems are maladaptive and lead to mental illness.
Many things we believe in are lies
The “lies,” or irrational beliefs, are taught to us by the “world”
“Truths” come from the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
What we believe can have profound effects on our lives
Beliefs affect thinking, behavior, and emotions
The role of the Christian counselor it to help clients identify irrational beliefs,
challenge them, and replace them with Biblical truths
Personality?









Our personalities are shaped by our underlying beliefs
The most important concept for understanding human personality is the concept
of “belief"
Personality can be thought of a complex set of beliefs held by an individual
Personality is formed when parents pass on their beliefs to their children
Personalities differ because of the nature and types of beliefs that people hold
Different personality styles emerge as a result of different underlying belief
patterns
The core beliefs of individuals are reflective of their personality
Personality is also affected by biology—genes, underlying sensitivities, etc.
Personality disorders occur when an individual’s core beliefs are maladaptive
2
Motivation









Beliefs are a source of motivation, or lack thereof
What we believe motivates us to act and behave in ways consistent with our
beliefs
Motivation can be affected by different sets of underlying beliefs
Motivation can be affected negatively or positively depending upon our
underlying beliefs
Motivation to be giving, caring, and loving, can result from belief in Jesus Christ
and the truths in the Bible
Motivation to make money and get rich can result from a belief materialism
Lack of motivation can stem from faulty underlying beliefs
If people believe that they are dumb or stupid, they may lack motivation to get an
education
If a person is taught that he/she is lazy, this can affect motivation
Human Development





















Human development is a key factor in the development of beliefs
Most beliefs are learned
Parents are a key influence on the development of belief systems
The Bible exhorts parents to train their children “in the way they should go.”
Parents “teach” their beliefs to their children
Parents pass along beliefs about the world, themselves, others, and God
The beliefs that parents teach children can be “positive” or “negative”
Parents are often the source of “toxic” beliefs
Beliefs accumulate over a lifetime
The secular world is a major source of irrational beliefs (lies)
Children typically don’t evaluate the “truth” of beliefs
They typically just accept what we are taught as true
As children develop, their belief systems change
Young children believe just about anything their parents tell them
In many instances, parents teach children false beliefs, or “lies”
As children mature, they start to question their beliefs
In children, their immature brain sets limit on their thinking capabilities
Their beliefs are “simple and childlike.”
As the brain develops, the ability to develop more complex belief systems
develops
Therapy with children typically involves correcting the “false beliefs” taught by
parents or the world (such a bullies)
We teach children the truth about God and how God “views them.”
3
Individual Differences







Beliefs differ from one individual to another
No two people have the exact same set of beliefs
Not everyone believes the same thing
Different nationalities hold different sets of beliefs.
Different races and cultures hold different sets of core beliefs
Gender (male/female) also affects core beliefs that individuals develop (are
taught) about themselves and the world around them
Individual differences in beliefs result from different experiences in the world
Where Are Problems Developed?






The root cause of problems is belief in “lies”
Problems develop as individuals are taught lies throughout their lives
Development of false beliefs usually start in childhood
The secular world is a source of false beliefs, or lies.
Satan is a source of lies
Pastors, teachers, etc. are also a source of lies
Working Definition of Health














Mental health is associated with belief in the “Truth”
Belief in Jesus Christ
Belief in the truths of the Bible
Belief in truths revealed by the Holy Spirit
Mental health is characterized by “Fruits of the Spirit”
Jesus Christ is the source of all truth
Jesus is the “way, the truth, and the life
Belief in Jesus Christ is the “starting point” for true mental health
Belief in Christ brings us to acceptance of, and belief in, the truths of the Bible
The Holy Spirit (the “Great Counselor”) is also a source of truth
Believing the truths of the Bible results is mental health
Our journey into mental health is a journey into the truth
The truth sets human beings free
Evidence of mental health can be seen in the Fruits of the Spirit
Working Definition of Illness



Most psychological problems can be traced to “false beliefs”
Mental illness is associated with the belief in “lies”—about ourselves, our world,
and about God
Maladaptive core beliefs affect thinking, behavior, and emotions
4



“False beliefs” or “lies” typically lead to psychological problems, and “mental
illness.”
False beliefs negatively affect thinking, behavior, and emotions
Faulty beliefs (lies) can separate us and distance us from God
Psychological and Spiritual Illness



Belief in lies results in both psychological problems (thinking, emotions, and
behavior) and supernatural spiritual problems (separation from God)
Failure to believe in our Lord and Savior is the ultimate “spiritual illness”
Our flesh and spirit are both affected by belief in lies and failure to believe in
Jesus Christ
Role of Integration and Multitasking










CCBT fully integrates psychology (CBT) and theology
CCBT is an extension of secular CBT
Secular treatment techniques and truths emerging from Cognitive therapy are
incorporated into CCBT
Secular treatment techniques and truths emerging from Behavioral Therapy (and
behavior modification) are incorporated into CCBT
CCBT involves multitasking.
Assessment of irrational beliefs involves obtaining data from a wide variety of
sources
Information from many different “levels of analysis” is used to help determine the
cause and subsequent development of irrational beliefs
Client history, background information, interview, questionnaires, and checklists
Psychological tests such as the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—III (MCMIIII) are also utilized
Information on medical problems, physical disorders, etc. is also relevant to
determine the impacts of these problems on the client’s belief system
How to Source Problems and Structure Effective Interventions




Multiple sources of data are obtained to identify the possible cause for the
person’s irrational beliefs
Clinical interview, client history, questionnaires, and formal psychological testing
are utilized to assess the cause of irrational beliefs.
Educational history, family history, religious history, medical history, and work
history are all evaluated and considered possible causes of irrational beliefs
After underlying irrational beliefs are determined, the counselor develops
effective techniques to challenge, “break up,” and replace the irrational beliefs
with biblical truths
5
Key Elements of My Theory




Identify irrational beliefs
Challenge irrational beliefs
Replace with Biblical truths
The Truth sets you free
Process and Techniques

Identify irrational beliefs (lies)
o Client history
o Clinical Interview
o Checklists
o Questionnaires
o Formal psychological tests

Challenge irrational beliefs
o
o
o
o
o
o

Questioning: “Thoughtbusters”
Scriptures
Prayer
Cognitive refutations
Help client make behavioral changes that “argue against” irrational beliefs
Behavioral Experiments: to test the validity of the irrational belief
Replace with biblical truths
o Positive corrective statements that focus on the truth
o Scripture memorization
o Changing activities
Expectations of Effectiveness


CCBT is expected to be highly effective
Draws upon an already established body of scientific literature which has clearly
established the efficacy and superiority of CBT for treating psychological
disorders
How Does My Worldview Influence My Theory?



To embrace CCBT, the counselor must possess a worldview that integrates
secular and religious
Belief that “all truth is God’s truth” is a fundamental assumption of CCBT
A Christian worldview is fundamental and is at the heart of CCBT
6

Belief in Jesus Christ, the Truth of scripture, the power of prayer, and the power
of the Holy Spirit all essential to the theory
Theoretical Considerations and Worldview Dimensions


CCBT is limited to counselors with a Christian worldview
The theory is robust in that it draws upon scientifically established treatment
techniques and extends them into the Christian faith
Approach to Integration



Integration lies at the heart of CCBT
CCBT fully integrates secular treatment techniques with truths derived from the
Christian faith
CCBT is an “extension” of traditional CBT to include biblical truths
Conclusion