Positive CBT

Special Interest Group

Chair: Fredrike Bannink

Positive CBT is a new approach to the practice of traditional CBT.

Its focus is not (only) on pathology, on what is wrong with clients and on repairing what is worst, but first and foremost on their strengths, what is right with them and on creating what is best. The focus is not on (merely) reducing distress, but first and foremost on building success.

A FBA of exceptions to the problem and the ‘upward arrow’ instead of the ‘downward arrow’ technique are two of the many practical applications of Positive CBT.

Positive CBT captures the essential importance of building on positive feelings, motives, imagery, memories and behaviors.

It changes what we focus on and how we work in helping clients change.

Bannink, F.P. (2012). Practicing Positive CBT. From Reducing Distress to Building Success. Oxford: Wiley.
Bannink, F.P. (2014). Positive CBT: From Reducing Distress to Building Success. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 44, 1-8.
Bannink, F.P. (2014). Positieve cognitieve gedragstherapie. Amsterdam: Pearson.
Bannink, F.P. (2014). Praxisbuch Positive KVT. Weinheim: Belz Verlag.
Bannink, F.P. (2015). Japanese translation (Kitaohji Shobo)
Bannink, F.P. (2015). Farsi translation (www.arjmandpub.com)

SIG Positive CBT
The aim of the SIG Positive CBT, founded in 2014, is to foster collaboration and discussion on theoretical and practical issues and to promote research in the field of Positive CBT, as well as to connect via LinkedIn and SIG-meetings at EABCT conferences.

A warm welcome to all colleagues interested in Positive CBT who wish to join our group. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6755509

“Positive CBT captures the essential importance of building on positive feelings, motives, imagery, memories and behaviors. It changes what we focus on and how we work in helping clients change.”

by Paul Gilbert