Cognitive-behavioral theory emerged from behavior therapy and ever since, it has undergone numerous changes and developments. Since the behavior therapy emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s, cognitive and behavioral theories have come together to form a more complex theoretical combination of therapeuticapproaches. These approaches are in present day referred to as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Gross and Hersen 2008).Earlier on, developments in CBT mainly focused on adult psychopathology.Today, it also focuses on children and adolescents.CBT in relation to children is based on various assumptions: behavior is affected by cognitive activities, monitoring and alteration of cognitive activities are possible, and change in behavior is dependent on cognitive change (Gross and Hersen 2008).

One vital aspect of cognitive-behavioral theory is the assumption that cognitive activity and behavior are significantly different. Besides the three assumptions above, there are other major propositions in the cognitive-behavioral framework. They include; the environment, overt behavior and covert behavior. All the propositions depend on each other; they influence one another.Cognitive-behavior therapy is based on a view that humans can think both rationally and irrationally. Human beings are used optimism behaviors which include; being happy, feeling loved, preserving themselves,growing positively, and actualizing themselves; they are also used to negativity such as repeating mistakes, lack of tolerance, avoiding thinking, blaming themselves, and destroying themselves. Internalization of pessimistic thoughts and negativity leads to imbalance of human emotions. Through cognitive restructuring, self-improvement is made possible as irrational thought is replaced with constructive thinking (Gross and Hersen 2008).

Within multicultural settings, the values that are applicable are difficult to determine due to the diversity of cultural groups and their response to various methods of psychotherapy. For example, the United States is a multicultural state and hence the evaluation of cognitive-behavioral theories is in, the shortcomings of certain cognitive-behavioral therapies to certain minority groups should be considered (Sapp 2004).

Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5 are biblical verses that support the cognitive-behavioral theory. God gives instructions to peopleto take control of their thoughts. James 2:14 also states that the beliefs of human beings are affected by their behaviors.Nevertheless,it is dangerous for cognitive-behavior theory to be more oriented to the use of a person’s belief than to itstruth.Instead of exchanging what is a lie from what is the truth; cognitive-behavior therapy, exchanges thoughts that are of no significance with significant ones. The assumption of cognitive-behavioral on the characteristics of people is not accurate. The theory has its roots in being natural and therefore does not recognize the spiritual aspects. Regardless, in certain views, the cognitive-behavioral theory ignores the fact that human kinds are naturally sinful.However, it gives a suggestion that human beings can save themselves (Buttman and Jones 2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy’s goal of self-acceptance is equally biblical.

References

Buttman, R.E.and Jones, S.L.2011.Modern psychotherapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal.

Gross, A.M.andHersen, M.2008.Handbook of clinical psychology, children, and adolescents.New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Sapp, M.2004.Cognitive-behavioral theories of counseling: Traditional and non-traditional approaches.U.S.A: Charles C Thomas. Publisher, LTD.