CBT: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common treatments for a range of mental health problems. A psychotherapy that looks at how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and how this affects their mental state, CBT is a highly effective method for those with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Read on to find out more about this technique and if you think it might be the right one for you.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a treatment that helps people identify their negative and destructive thought patterns and change their behavior and the way they understand their emotions. Through CBT, a person can learn to challenge their thoughts and have more positive and realistic thoughts that will uplift their mood. CBT is often an individual therapy, although there are CBT group sessions available. The number of sessions of CBT will vary from person to person, but the average number of sessions can be anything from five to twenty.

How does it work?

The main purpose of CBT is to help those with mental conditions to manage their lives more effectively. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy does this by changing distortions and perceptions a person may have and redirecting them to challenge their unhelpful mindset. Some of the negative thought patterns that might be challenged include jumping to conclusions, black-and white-thinking, or catastrophizing situations. The whole premise of CBT is to help a person see the world in a more positive light and healthily respond to their circumstances.

Benefits of CBT

There are a lot of advantages to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Firstly, it can be completed in a short space of time unlike many other types of therapy, it is a versatile approach and can be taught online or via self-help books. The strategies that CBT teaches can be used in everyday life, even after the treatment sessions have finished and it can be effective as medicine in treating some mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

Drawbacks of CBT

Of course, there are some disadvantages to this style of therapy. It takes a lot of commitment to get the most out of it and you need to attend regular CBT sessions and do the work. It takes time and it may not be suitable for those who feel uncomfortable confronting their fears and anxieties and discussing their emotions. CBT is for dealing with current problems but it isn’t good for focusing on specific and underlying issues such as trauma and abuse.

Who is CBT for?

Just like a lot of therapies, CBT isn’t suitable for everyone. But research has shown that this CBT can benefit people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It’s been considered most effective on children and adults who suffer from depression, general anxiety disorder, general stress, panic disorders, eating disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling with mental and emotional troubles. It isn’t suited to everyone and every disorder but it can give people strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with challenges in their everyday lives.