It is argued that current theory and practice of cognitive therapy are
encapsulated by a set of epistemic values that assign causative prima
cy for psychological problems to the cognitive processes of the indivi
dual knower. Social constructionism represents an alternative to this
state of affairs by underscoring the inextricable connection between t
he personal and the social, challenging the merit of decontextualized
accounts of psychological problems, and identifying empowerment a!ld s
ocial change as viable therapeutic options.