Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.
CBT likely has the MOST research swirling around it. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
CBT is based on several core principles, including:
Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.
CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include:
Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.
Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.
Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.
Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.
CBT treatment also involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include:
Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.
Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.
CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.
CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.
If you think CBT might be right for you:
Reach out to Heart of Texas Therapy Services to schedule a consultation
References & Resources related to CBT:
In brief: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? - Article from American Psychological Association (APA)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview and Why It’s Done from the Mayo Clinic
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the Cleveland Clinic