What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Developed in the 1960s by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, CBT is grounded in the concept that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By altering negative thoughts and maladaptive behaviors, individuals can achieve significant improvements in emotional regulation and mental health.
CBT is used to treat a range of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and eating disorders, among others. The therapy is structured, time-limited, and goal-oriented. It is based on the premise that distorted thinking leads to emotional distress and unhelpful behavior patterns. By correcting these distortions, CBT helps individuals develop healthier thought processes and more adaptive behaviors.
How Does Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Work?
CBT works through a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques aimed at modifying dysfunctional thinking and behavior. The process typically involves an assessment process, identifying a client’s negative thought patterns, challenging their thought patterns, and levying forms of behavioral activation to combat these negative thoughts. Exposure therapy, skill-building exercises, and therapeutic homework (such as journaling, meditation, and mindfulness training) are also common elements of CBT.
Overall, CBT is a versatile and effective therapy method that empowers individuals to take an active role in their mental health. By addressing the underlying cognitive and behavioral patterns that contribute to psychological distress, CBT offers a path to lasting change and improved well-being.
Different Forms of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Over the decades, cognitive-behavioral therapy has resulted in the development of many other similar therapeutic frameworks. Some of these are derived from the same basic principles, while others are an evolution of the framework itself. The most common or popular of these different forms include:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Multimodal Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
How Are CBT Sessions Structured?
Therapists approach their sessions with different goals in mind for each client. For example, one session might focus on recapping the progress made on the goals created in the previous session – such as consistently journaling for two weeks, and challenging social anxiety by taking steps to spend more time outdoors, in the park, or at the mall – and building on these steps by creating more goals, incorporating different exercises, or tackling and challenging another recurring negative thought, such as a person’s body image issues, and resulting disordered eating/exercising habits.
Overall, CBT sessions revolve around identifying these negative feedback loops that are common within cases of anxiety and depression. Once a thought “sets in”, it will often repeat and reinforce itself through behaviors (such as restricting calories due to anxiety surrounding body image, but then binging due to hunger or frustration). Breaking the cycle on these negative thoughts through counteracting positive affirmations and healthier habits – introduced and discussed through a CBT session – can expand a client’s toolkit when combatting their own negative thinking.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at Resolutions
Cognitive-behavioral therapy programs are focused on problem solving. Elements of a person’s condition, such as negative thoughts about one’s contributions at home or anxieties surrounding school or work, are tackled and addressed individually.
Over time, the “reasons” through which the mind continues to reinforce negative feelings of depression and anxiety are addressed and eliminated, and the person is empowered by their own actions and progress. Here at Resolutions, we utilize CBT as one of many different treatment frameworks for conditions like depression and anxiety.
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