Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and that by changing our thoughts, we can change our emotions and behaviors.
CBT is a structured and time-limited therapy that typically involves weekly sessions with a trained therapist. The therapist works with the individual to identify problematic thought patterns and behaviors and to develop strategies to replace them with more positive ones.
This may involve:
- learning relaxation techniques
- problem-solving skills
- developing coping strategies for managing stress
- identifying negative patterns of thinking/emotions
CBT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is often used in conjunction with other therapies or medication to achieve the best results.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of behavioral treatment that helps people see the difference between beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, and free them from unhelpful patterns of behavior.
CBT is grounded in the belief that it is a person’s perception of events – rather than the events themselves – that determines how he or she will feel and act in response.
CBT can help with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance dependency
- Persistent pain
- Disordered eating
- Sexual issues
- Anger management issues
Most people with clearly defined behavioral and emotional concerns tend to reap the benefits of CBT. If any of the above issues resonate with you, I encourage you to try cognitive behavioral therapy.
With CBT, you’ll be able to adjust the thoughts that directly influence your emotions and behavior. This adjustment process is referred to as cognitive reconstructing, which happens through different CBT techniques.
Some CBT techniques are:
- Journalling
- Challenging beliefs
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Social, physical and thinking exercises
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is much more than sitting and talking about whatever comes to mind during a session. CBT sessions are structured to ensure that the therapist and the person in treatment are focused on the different goals of each session, which in turn ensures that each and every session is productive.
If you or someone you know would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.