1. Introduction
In this paper we will first look at the recent cultural development in the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) namely the Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT), and how it is implemented in treating the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Then we will identify and examine the philosophical presuppositions behind TCT and evaluate the Taoist’s worldview according to the scripture.
2. What Is Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT)
Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT) is originally developed in China, and it is a culturally restored version of the mindfulness and acceptance-based behavior therapy (AABTs) in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Unlike the AABTs that aim to treat non-Asian counselee, TCT is designed to reintroduce the spiritual aspect …show more content…
MCO tries to address the possible cultural different between the client and the therapist, and it also acknowledges the cultural alienation of the methodology itself. Empirical research has already proved the importance of MCO . In MCO, culture difference is acknowledged in order to get a better understanding on the client’s thought and reasoning . However, MCO does not use the client’s cultural background as the cognitive framework of the therapy. In contrast, TCT removes the logical reasoning framework in CBT, and adopts Taoism, the ancient Chinese philosophy, as the cognitive framework in the therapy. Taoism is no longer just a window to glance inside the client’s mind, but it is the TCT’s solution to …show more content…
TCT believes the root of GAD is the counselee’s rigid attachment to the beliefs, goals and desires that are not reflective to the natural order of the universe . The counselee must interpret his experience according to the principle of “yin-yang” that all things exist in polarity. The root of the counselee’s problem is his denial of the interdependence of any two opposites . For example, goodness requires evil for existence. When the counselee fails to accept the coexistence of the opposites, his cognitive avoidance will disrupt Tao that is the unity and the interdependence of “yin-yang” . The imbalance of Tao will further develop into the
In this paper we will first look at the recent cultural development in the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) namely the Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT), and how it is implemented in treating the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Then we will identify and examine the philosophical presuppositions behind TCT and evaluate the Taoist’s worldview according to the scripture.
2. What Is Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT)
Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT) is originally developed in China, and it is a culturally restored version of the mindfulness and acceptance-based behavior therapy (AABTs) in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Unlike the AABTs that aim to treat non-Asian counselee, TCT is designed to reintroduce the spiritual aspect …show more content…
MCO tries to address the possible cultural different between the client and the therapist, and it also acknowledges the cultural alienation of the methodology itself. Empirical research has already proved the importance of MCO . In MCO, culture difference is acknowledged in order to get a better understanding on the client’s thought and reasoning . However, MCO does not use the client’s cultural background as the cognitive framework of the therapy. In contrast, TCT removes the logical reasoning framework in CBT, and adopts Taoism, the ancient Chinese philosophy, as the cognitive framework in the therapy. Taoism is no longer just a window to glance inside the client’s mind, but it is the TCT’s solution to …show more content…
TCT believes the root of GAD is the counselee’s rigid attachment to the beliefs, goals and desires that are not reflective to the natural order of the universe . The counselee must interpret his experience according to the principle of “yin-yang” that all things exist in polarity. The root of the counselee’s problem is his denial of the interdependence of any two opposites . For example, goodness requires evil for existence. When the counselee fails to accept the coexistence of the opposites, his cognitive avoidance will disrupt Tao that is the unity and the interdependence of “yin-yang” . The imbalance of Tao will further develop into the