The Psychology of Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

The Foundational Assumptions of CBP (Part 1)

Principles that form the foundation of cognitive behavioural Psychology have been drawn from wise life principles, relational experiences, and natural laws. These are the Positive Foundational Assumptions of Cognitive Behavioral Psychology. Besides offering useful people skills and goal-setting processes, CBP offers a way of thinking that is useful for people of all walks of life. This video is part 1 of 2.

The Foundational Assumptions of CBP (Part 1)

Principles that form the foundation of cognitive behavioural Psychology have been drawn from wise life principles, relational experiences, and natural laws. These are the Positive Foundational Assumptions of Cognitive Behavioral Psychology. Besides offering useful people skills and goal-setting processes, CBP offers a way of thinking that is useful for people of all walks of life. This video is part 2 of 2.

A Foundation for Accurate Self-Definition

Even though we all want to be honest, transparent and authentic with the other people in our lives, low self-esteem and low confidence can sometimes undermine our best intentions. There is great importance to developing a set of strong foundations for authentically defining yourself, and in this video, Kain provides some practical insights into how you can begin to accomplish this.

Moving From Experience to Ideas

According to John Locke, human knowledge comes from experience. He holds that all knowledge is constructed from ideas (think of ideas as atomic building blocks and knowledge as the structures we create out of them). In this video, Kain explains how all of the knowledge we possess (including our evaluations and world views) can be accounted for by accounting for the origin of our ideas.

The Four Categories of Truth

As we grow, we gain more maturity, decisiveness, integrity, and strength as we shed the limiting ideologies we formed about ourselves during our younger and "less informed" years. How do you define truth? Answering this question is both interesting and challenging. It is possible to distinguish several different definitions of truth. In this video, Kain outlines the four different categories of reality.

Understanding Cognitive Biases (Part 1)

Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman introduced the term cognitive bias in 1972. A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that occurs when people are processing and interpreting information in the world around them and affects the decisions and judgments that they make. In this video, Kain explains five types of cognitive bias'. This video is part 1 of 2.

Understanding Cognitive Biases (Part 2)

Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman introduced the term cognitive bias in 1972. A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that occurs when people are processing and interpreting information in the world around them and affects the decisions and judgments that they make. In this video, Kain explains five types of cognitive bias'. This video is part 2 of 2.

Inductive Vs. Deductive Thinking Patterns

Sometimes we think too highly of ourselves, and other times, we think too little. Life is all about finding that balance. In this video, Kain sheds light on two distinctive thinking styles: deductive and inductive. He then goes on to propose a more robust thinking style we can foster in life.

The Beliefs and Results Cycle

Belief cycles connect belief, action and results. The cycle dictates that the life results we achieve are directly proportional to the actions we take. We take actions based on the belief we have in our potential. In this video, Kain explains the beliefs and results cycle, which explains that people act in accordance with their beliefs about them and what they're capable of.

Perception: The Map is Not the Territory

The distinction between a map and a territory made its debut in Alfred Korzybski's 1933 seminal work, Science and Sanity: An Introduction to General Semantics. Maps are limited and do not represent the territory accurately. The interpretations and beliefs that we have come to believe to be true are also limited and are not accurate depictions of reality. Kain explores these ideas throughout this video.

Cognitive Maturity for Accurate Judgement

Reality is the state of things as they are. When it comes to our identity, we have many snapshots, memories and perceptions of who we are - or the labels that others have placed on us; but these aren't necessarily 'reality'. In this video, Kain differentiates between experience, reality, perception, focus and perspective. He shares a story to help us better understand that our perception is very rarely the reality in actuality.

The Battlefield of the Human Mind

Our minds are where we wage our war. It is also the place of our victory. Thoughts become arguments, and arguments become strongholds. The meaning we assign to a situation, or circumstance can change how we perceive it. By changing our perception, we will change our way of seeing, feeling and reacting to something. In this video, Kain discusses these ideas in greater detail.

Cognitive and Emotional 'Time Travel'

It is our interpretation of our past experiences that shape our experience of the present and our expectations of the future. In the absence of a clear understanding of how our focus determines how we feel today, we have no hope of managing our emotions. Throughout this video, Kain explains a model that can help you make sense of your own emotional experience of life.

Patterns of Highly Unhelpful Thinking (Part 1)

The greatest problems people commonly face are linked to the accuracy of their thinking when it comes to interacting with people. The quality and accuracy of the way you think will directly affect your relationships with other people. In this video, Kain outlines twelve patterns of unintelligent thinking and gives a few examples of each to facilitate your understanding. This video is part 1 of 2.

Patterns of Highly Unhelpful Thinking (Part 2)

The greatest problems people commonly face are linked to the accuracy of their thinking when it comes to interacting with people. The quality and accuracy of the way you think will directly affect your relationships with other people. In this video, Kain outlines twelve patterns of unintelligent thinking and gives a few examples of each to facilitate your understanding. This video is part 2 of 2.

The Socratic Sensible Questioning Method

Socratic questioning refers to the process of asking questions in order to stimulate critical thinking and reflection. A Socratic question is a type of open question in which people are invited to evaluate the accuracy (and correctness) of their thinking. In this video, Kain discusses the various Socratic questions we can ask ourselves in order to challenge negative attitudes and perspectives.

Solid Grounds for Emotional Stability

Stability of mind is an excellent trait to develop. Generally, it refers to the ability to endure difficult circumstances and handle challenges, as well as remain fruitful and capable in spite of difficult circumstances. We can gauge the maturity of our character by how emotionally and behaviorally stable we are. Kain explains the perspective that’s required for sustainable emotional stability.

End of Section Two Check In

The purpose of this video is to provide you with a set of questions that you can use to think about the central ideas and teachings you've discovered throughout the training course so far.

Developing Character and Cognitive Maturity

Self-development involves educating yourself consciously in a wide range of life areas. Growing as an individual means enhancing skills, abilities, and knowledge in order to realize one's potential and meet one's personal goals. Some people wait until they are on the brink of ruin before they commit to working on themselves. With this video, Kain explains the journey to becoming a mature individual.

Some People Need you to NOT Grow!

Some people are not interested in your growth or development as an individual. Many people will not want to see you grow - personal development disturbs those who live complacent lifestyles. There are some parents who would rather their children remain children. Some people would rather diagnose than understand you. In a video, Kain discusses hard truths that may be upsetting to some viewers.

The 7 Levels of Cognitive Growth and Development

Changing your attitudes, traits, and habits (e.g. becoming more patient, understanding, and assertive) is one way of becoming a better person. Personal growth is a process. People who live their lives from the perspective of being victims can be overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness, victimhood, and apathy. Here, Kain provides an explanation of how personal growth naturally occurs.

The Eleven Ways of Handling Problems

Life is never problem-free. Many problems can be solved quickly and without too much hassle. We either come up with a quick solution or use a strategy that worked in the past. An important distinction exists between problems that can be solved (with a process) and relationship tensions that must be managed. This video outlines the approaches you can take to tackling problems.

The Seven Decisions of Sensible Character

Life has seven choices that allow us to develop strong character, mature, and live in alignment with our true selves. Either we can make wise decisions that reflect our long-term life goals, or we can make decisions based on receiving instant gratification today. Throughout this video, Kain offers seven examples of ways each of us can use maturity and character to guide our lives.

The Seven Decisions: Self-Reflection Questions

As we choose to live our lives based on these choices of maturity and character, we naturally and positively influence those around us. Please take the time to review these choices of maturity and character by answering the following questions;

The Albert Ellis Ideology - Vs - Medical Diagnosis

The medical model promotes the diagnosis of everyday emotional and behavioural phenomena. It's prevalent with young people who are labelled as 'damaged goods' as they grow up. According to Albert Ellis, the mental diagnostic model lacks compassion because it fails to recognize the concerns that people naturally have. Kain explains this idea and discusses other aspects of Ellis' philosophy.

Decision Making: The Head, Heart & Gut Approach

People waste years of their lives pursuing empty goals, unaware of why they feel so disenfranchised and unfulfilled. This video discusses a cognitive approach that is useful for evaluating the congruence and value of the goals and values that you prioritise in your life.

A Useful Model for Goal Setting

Kain discusses the four categories of goals we can pursue in life: life vision, long-term goals, medium-term goals, and short-term goals. Those without a life vision can spend a lifetime going around in circles. A vision must be inspiring for us in order to inspire us to act. Unless we have a clear plan and sense of direction for our lives, we could end up following someone else's plan instead.

Establishing Positively Framed Goals

If you set yourself goals, you need to be motivated to attain them; that requires that they are important to you and that they are well worth achieving. People often do not understand the difference between framing goals as positive outcomes or negative outcomes. The key to achieving goals is to set goals that relate to your highest priorities. In this video, Kain demonstrates how to set inspirational goals.

A Strategy for (just about) Anything!

A single strategy is all it takes to accomplish anything or transform any area of our lives. Obtaining a strategy is one thing, executing it is another. A person does not need to know how to do something in order to be able to do it. A person's 'ability' is as flexible as their willingness to learn and adopt new strategies. Here's a demonstration of Kain's master strategy for learning ALL strategies.

Albert Ellis' Recommended Reflections

The best years of your life are the ones in which you take responsibility for your problems. You do not blame them on your mother, the environment, or the president. Your destiny is in your hands. During this thought-provoking video, Kain discusses a few of Albert Ellis' ideas and suggestions that wrap up the course by stressing that responsibility empowers us to take control of our lives.

End of Section Three Check In. Kain outlines a series of self-reflection questions in this video that you can use to consider the main ideas and lessons you have learned in this section (and throughout the entire course).

For Further Studies: Recommended Book Reading List

Our time together comes to an end with this penultimate video of our Cognitive Behavioural Psychology for Mental Health and Wellness course. Kain will share with you some final thoughts regarding your future CBT related applications and some additional book recommendations.

Graduation and Closing Thoughts

Kain explains a few of his other online training courses (personal growth and Achology certified) in this final video that you may find useful in your continuing education. In concluding this course, he shares one last narrative for your consideration.

It's always exciting to complete a course and take the first steps towards mastering new skills. However, learning is an ongoing process, and there is always more knowledge to gain and ways to apply it. Here are some possible next steps you can take after completing this course: