Cognitive Therapy
A therapy using ideas and concepts to teach a child to develop and manage their thinking to improve their emotions, mental state, attitude and behaviour.
Cognitive therapy is the idea that the way we feel and behave is determined by our thoughts. Through a powerful process of breaking an episode in our life, which was emotional (e.g. sad feelings), into thoughts, sensations and coping behaviours, permits us to change the cycle of our negative, unhealthy or destructive thoughts and behaviours.​
Cognitive therapy for autism and other developmental problems is modified begins with “emotional regulation” training. In other words, teaching a child the common emotions (e.g. happy, anger, sad, worried) and how we think when we feel that way, and how to identify if we are feeling that way. Education and training empowers the child to change the way they feel and cope better under stressful situations e.g. being bullied.
We used evidence-based or widely-used programs or packages, including Westmead Feelings Program and Cognitive Affective Training (CAT-kit).
