What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular type of psychotherapy that involves working with a therapist in a structured setting. It often includes attending a set number of sessions over a certain amount of time. This type of therapy focuses on making patients more aware of harmful or inaccurate thoughts and emotions so they can better understand situations and respond to them more effectively.

CBT can effectively address mental issues like depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other treatments like medication. CBT can also be used to teach patients better ways to handle the stressful situations that they encounter.

How cognitive behavioral therapy works

CBT is the most commonly used type of therapy, and it can address various mental health disorders. It effectively shows patients how to identify things that trigger them and shows them ways to cope with them. It typically gets positive results faster than other types of therapy. Ways that CBT can help with mental health issues include:

• Prevents a re-emergence of symptoms associated with a mental health disorder.
• Manages symptoms of mental disorders.
• Provides treatment for mental health disorders when medication is not an option.
• Teaches patients how to cope with life’s challenges.
• Teaches patients ways to manage their emotions.
• Teaches patients better ways to communicate and resolve conflicts.
• Overcomes trauma.
• Teaches patients how to cope with grief.

Mental health disorders that CBT can be used to treat include schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, depression, phobias, and anxiety disorders.

What to expect during treatment

CBT can be done in one-on-one settings, with family members, or with a group of people who are struggling with similar issues. The treatment involves educating the patient about their mental health condition, showing them relaxation techniques, and giving them stress management tools.

The patient also learns how to better cope with their emotions and how to assert themselves. The first session typically involves the therapist gathering information about the patient, their symptoms, and concerns.

It might take a few sessions for the therapist to build a clear picture of the patient’s mental health issues and how it impacts their everyday life.

During the treatment, the therapist will encourage the patient to open up about their thoughts and feelings, especially things that are bothering them. The treatment typically focuses on addressing specific issues with clear goals set. Treatment might also involve the patient doing work on their own, like reading a recommended book. Therapists typically tailor their approach to each patient’s unique circumstances and needs. Once negative emotions and thoughts have been identified, the therapist teaches the patient how to replace them with positive ones.