Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy was first coined in the 1960s by psychiatrist Aaron Beck. Disillusioned with Freudian psychoanalysis, Beck created a new form of treatment that focused on how thoughts and feelings influence behaviors instead of simply altering behavior itself.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was created as a response to the lack of evidence-based support for many psychological therapies that were popular at that time. It’s an empirically based form of talk therapy and has proven successful at treating various mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
CBT was initially founded on rational emotive therapy (RET), a type of behavioral therapy designed to help patients alter their irrational thoughts and beliefs regarding negative events. RET was founded by Albert Ellis who sought an empirical approach rather than psychoanalysis for treatment purposes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely-accepted and recognized treatment for many psychological disorders. Common techniques used in CBT include:
In a CBT session, your therapist will help you identify what’s preventing you from reaching your goals and devise solutions to address it. They may form an hypothesis about what might be happening and collaborate with you to verify its accuracy.
They will also work with you to comprehend how your thinking has altered. Doing so helps you recognize patterns and become more cognizant of your habits, providing the opportunity to make beneficial adjustments in the future.
Your therapist can teach you strategies that can be employed when faced with challenging circumstances in the future. These may include:
Automated negative thoughts are a common issue for people suffering from anxiety, and they can be challenging to change. This is because ANTs typically stem from negative, dysfunctional beliefs about yourself and others that have an immense effect on how you think and behave – ultimately leading to feelings of anxiety or depression.
Acquiring an understanding of ANTs is essential to helping you stop reliving the painful experiences that caused them. Your therapist will guide you in challenging these irrational thoughts and reframing them for positive change.
The therapist can also help you identify and plan beneficial activities that will increase your satisfaction and happiness. These could include hobbies, a job you enjoy, or other pursuits that make you feel good and productive.
Gaining control over your ANTs can be a difficult endeavor, so be prepared to put in effort and work hard. You may need to see multiple therapists in order to see results and make necessary changes in your life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist you in conquering your antidepressants and living a happier, more rewarding life. They will assist in recognizing ANTs, understanding how they operate, and providing tools that will allow you to challenge them and replace negative thinking with healthier and more positive alternatives.
