UNDERSTANDING CBC
It is not the things themselves that cause people concern. It’s their thoughts about them.
UNDERSTANDING CBC
It is not the things themselves that cause people concern. It’s their thoughts about them.
This is how the Greek philosopher and Stoic Epictetus described almost 2000 years ago what today forms the basis of Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC).
Today we know that it is not only our thoughts that control us: it is rather a complex so-called “Inner System” of sensory perception, emotions, thoughts, feelings, bodily reactions and behaviour that can influence each other in countless ways and sequences – and this on three levels of consciousness.
This also creates blockages where the subconscious overrides our conscious intentions: when someone wants to say no, but then says yes – because their subconscious wants to protect them from something. It is often completely unclear from what, which leads to helplessness, stress and frustration.
Accordingly, an important contribution of CBC is to support clients in finding and working on the causes of these blockages in their subconscious. Suddenly they can do what they have wanted to do for a long time. And without any drama, completely relaxed.
Dive into the world of CBC, its history, application, positioning in the coaching field and deepen your knowledge through articles and podcasts.
The three waves of Cognitive Behavioural Coaching
Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) developed from cognitive behavioural therapy and can be divided into three waves of development, each of which integrates new perspectives:
The first wave emerged in the 1950s and focused on observable behaviour. Behaviour was understood as learned and changed in a targeted manner – through classical and operant conditioning. Important representatives of this phase are B.F. Skinner and Joseph Wolpe.
The second wave, from the 1960s/70s onwards, focussed on internal processes. Automatic thoughts, attitudes and beliefs were recognised as central factors influencing behaviour. The aim was to uncover dysfunctional thought patterns and replace them with more helpful ones. The central thinkers of this wave are Aaron T. Beck (cognitive therapy) and Albert Ellis (REVT).
The third wave, since the 1990s, has integrated mindfulness-based and emotion-focussed approaches. The focus is now more on dealing with inner experience: Thoughts and feelings do not need to be changed, but accepted and evaluated differently. Values, self-compassion and psychological flexibility as well as the latest neuroscientific findings are at the centre of this approach. Important representatives are Steven C. Hayes (ACT), Marsha Linehan (DBT), Zindel Segal (MBCT) and Antonio Damasio (Neurosciences)
In coaching practice, this development offers clear added value: while the first wave helps to initiate specific behavioural changes, the second wave enables targeted work on obstructive beliefs and thought patterns. The third wave additionally strengthens the coachee’s ability to deal with stressful emotions without allowing them to block them. CBC combines these elements into an integrative approach that is cognitively based, behaviourally oriented and at the same time activates resources.
This provides coaches with an effective set of tools to not only find superficial solutions, but also to release deeply rooted blockages – and thus promote sustainable change.
What distinguishes Cognitive Behavioural Coaching from other coaching approaches?
Many coaching approaches – such as solution-orientated short-term coaching – work primarily with the client’s conscious thoughts and goals and can achieve quick and good results in many cases.
However, there are situations in which deeper, subconscious blockages hinder the change process. These blockages are often caused by deeply rooted, subconscious patterns (based on personality, abilities, environment, beliefs, values, biases and fears, among other things) that the client is not aware of and are therefore difficult to access using conventional approaches.
This is where Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) comes in: It works specifically with the Inner System and the subconscious in order to identify and resolve the true causes of these blockages. Using special techniques, CBC helps to re-evaluate subconscious behavioural patterns and facilitate sustainable change – even where other methods reach their limits.
Three examples for using CBC
You can find many other topics that can be processed with CBC HERE
Further information about CBC (currently in German only)
You are invited!
Would you like to find out more about CBC?
Then let’s talk about it! Preferably over an online coffee break. Half an hour. Free of charge. Without obligation.
Simply book your online coffee break now at calendly.com/fkvc!
We look forward to meeting you!
You are invited!
Would you like to find out more about CBC?
Then let’s talk about it! Preferably over an online coffee break. Half an hour. Free of charge. Without obligation.
Simply book your online coffee break now at
We look forward to meeting you!