What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Involve?
CBT is a method that seeks to identify and modify one’s thoughts and behavior. Additionally, it teaches healthier ways of relating with people and situations. CBT can be effective for many issues such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Cognitive behavioral therapy comes in many forms and aims to address the thoughts and behaviors causing psychological distress. Examples include rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
REBT works to re-identify unrealistic thoughts through cognitive restructuring and exercises.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has been demonstrated to be successful for treating various conditions and symptoms. As a type of psychotherapy, CBT aims to alter how you think, feel, and behave by drawing from fields such as psychology and neuroscientific research.
CBT is used to treat a range of mental health issues and is usually combined with medication, depending on the individual patient’s needs. Studies have demonstrated that CBT can be successful in treating depression, anxiety disorders and stress-related disorders as well as addictive behaviours like drinking, smoking or drug abuse.
Treatment usually follows a goal-oriented plan and therapists concentrate on solving specific problems identified by the patient. It usually consists of face-to-face sessions along with homework tasks to achieve success.
When selecting a therapist to work with, ask yourself if they will be an ideal match for you. If not, make it your priority to find another qualified practitioner.
At your initial session with your therapist, they will ask you to discuss any troubling situations or conditions that are causing you distress. They may also challenge you to identify your thoughts and beliefs regarding them.
In some instances, your therapist may ask you to keep a journal or record of your thoughts and feelings regarding these problems. This is an essential step in identifying which thoughts and beliefs are harmful and which ones offer helpful support.
Counseling may involve exploring negative thoughts and feelings that cause us to act out in unhealthy ways, such as feeling rejected or unloved. The therapist will also encourage you to find evidence that your assumptions are incorrect, so that you can replace them with healthier ones.
It can also be beneficial to identify people in your life who have been supportive of you in the past, as this can provide motivation for positive thinking and a new way of connecting with others.
A therapist will guide you through the process of reframing your thoughts and behavior, teaching healthier ways to cope with stressful situations. This also helps create a more optimistic mindset and reduces the likelihood of relapse.
It’s essential to remember that cognitive behavioral therapy, like all psychotherapies, takes time to develop. You may need several sessions before you notice any real improvement in your behavior or emotions. But with persistence and time, you will begin seeing an overall improvement in wellbeing and life.