Cognitive therapy is one of the few theories that has been extensively scientifically tested and proven to be highly effective in over 300 clinical studies. It focuses on the immediate or automatic thoughts the client has and how these thoughts influence their feelings and behaviors. The goal of cognitive therapy is to identify these thoughts that negatively affect the client. Then teach the client how to identify these automatic thoughts and how they can effectively change them. Through very structured cognitive therapy sessions, a client should essentially learn the tools to be their own cognitive therapist for future problems they may encounter. The therapy session will not make them experts, but they will be better equipped to identify distorted automatic thoughts and make changes in their thinking to deal with situations they encounter. Cognitive therapists believe that automatic thoughts influence how a client feels and behaves in different ways. situations. These automatic thoughts are indicators of the client's core patterns or beliefs. Schemas represent how customers think and see their world, people, events, and the environment around them. Schemas are believed to develop in early childhood experiences. During this period, depending on the experience, the child will develop a basic belief, positive or negative, about himself and/or the world. These core beliefs are then subsequently supported by critical incidents or traumatic experiences. As the client ages and enters adulthood, these patterns generate automatic thoughts when faced with a situation. These automatic thoughts then contribute to how one feels, behaves and responds physiologically. The first maladaptive schemas are beliefs that clients assume in advance of the group... in the middle of the sheet of paper, so this may also reduce the anxiety of the participants because they will know what to expect. It also seems very effective for group therapy because it is focused on problem solving and educating participants. It is focused on the present more than the past. Interviews and assessment tools can also be very useful in pre-screening the group. Works Cited Garamoni, G. (2009). Frequently asked questions about cognitive therapy. Retrieved from http://www.drgaramoni.com/faqs_cognitive_therapy.htmlMiranda, J, & Munoz, R. (2000). Group therapy manual for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression. Retrieved from http://epsy.tamu.edu/..%20Group%20Counseling/CBGT%20Depression.pdfSharf, RS (2008) Theories of psychotherapy and counseling: Concepts and cases. Psychoanalysis (pp. 25-74). Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning