Cognitive Therapy – From the Standpoint of Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy involves therapists and patients working together to identify and alter negative thought patterns. This can help alleviate some mental health conditions and enhance quality of life for all involved.
The concept behind this quote is that our thoughts shape how we feel about ourselves, others and the environment. Therefore, negative thoughts can cause feelings of anxiety or depression.
Cognitive Therapy comes in many forms and each uses a range of techniques to assist people in solving their issues. There are even distinct subtypes such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
If you are struggling with mental health issues or just want to learn better ways of navigating daily life, cognitive therapy could be the perfect treatment. It has a proven track record and is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that encourages healthy thinking habits and self-help abilities.
Cognitive therapy’s primary goal is to identify and alter distorted or illogical negative beliefs that aren’t directly connected to the problems you’re facing, yet are still powerful enough to shape how you view and interact with the world.
One way to combat this is through a series of behavioral experiments, where clients are challenged to perform tasks which challenge their irrational and inaccurate beliefs. For instance, if they believe they always fail at something, they might be asked to sign up for a night class as an experiment.
Another technique is situation exposure, in which clients are gradually exposed to situations that cause them distress in small doses until they start having fewer negative feelings. This approach may be particularly helpful for phobias and other anxiety disorders.
Other techniques employed in CBT include journaling, mindfulness meditation and systematic desensitization. These approaches have proven particularly successful for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
Depending on the therapist and your individual problems, therapy will differ from session to session. Generally though, this is a short-term, intensive approach that aims to alter negative patterns of thinking and behavior.
The therapist will strive to foster collaboration between themselves and their client, so they can work through problems together. However, this task requires a great deal of dedication from both parties involved.
This type of treatment is highly rewarding for the client, as it gives them control over their care and encourages them to take responsibility for their wellbeing. Clients are given homework between sessions and encouraged to incorporate healthier thinking habits into everyday life.
Though it is a long process, patients must commit and strive for excellence between sessions. This may prove challenging for some individuals who struggle with commitment or have weak work ethics; thus, this might not be the best approach for them.
Research on Cognitive Therapy has demonstrated its efficacy in treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, studies have indicated it to be more successful than drug-based therapies.
