Cognitive behavioral therapy, better known as CBT, is a type of ‘talking therapy’ that assists in managing your problems in changing the methods in which you behave and the method in which you think.
When explaining what is cognitive behavioral therapy, the best answer would be to treat common ailments such as depression and anxiety. However, CBT is also useful for various other physical health or mental problems.
Cognitive behavioral therapy does not have the ability to remove all your problems, but does have the ability to deal with your problems in a more helpful manner. This therapy is based on a specific concept that involves that your actions, physical sensations, feelings and thoughts are all interconnected. This means that any negative feelings and thoughts have the ability to cause you to become trapped in a cycle that is extremely negative.
CBT is used to crack or break the cycle, by decreasing overwhelming problems into smaller and more manageable portions. In addition, the therapy will indicate to you how you can easily change these negative patterns as well as improve on the way you are currently feeling.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And How Does It Differ From Other Talking Treatments?
Unlike many of the other types of talking treatments, CBT will only deal with current problems, opposed to focusing on other issues that form part of your past. This treatment utilizes practical methods in order to improve ones state-of-mind each day.
When Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used?
CBT has been proven to effectively work on treating various mental types of health conditions. Over and above anxiety and depression disorders, CBT is also effective in assisting people with the following disorders:
- Problems with alcohol abuse
- Sleep problems that can include insomnia
- Eating disorders that include bulimia and anorexia
- Phobias
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Panic disorders
- OCD ( obsessive compulsive disorder)
CBT is also used occasionally in treating patients who have been diagnosed with a long-term type of health condition. Some of these conditions can include CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). CBS in these cases is not viewed as a type of cure, but rather a better method on how patients can cope with these types of symptoms.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Finding The Right CBT Therapist
If you have decided that you perhaps have one or more problems that CBT can assist you with, your initial step would be to book an appointment with your preferred GP. Making an appointment with your GP will be your first step towards tackling problems that have become unmanageable in your life. If your GP thinks that this type of therapy can benefit you, he or she can refer you for cognitive behavioral therapy in your area with an experienced clinician.
When CBT has been recommended, you will typically need to see your therapist once a week to begin with and then once every fortnight. The treatment course typically ranges from anything from 5 up to 20 sessions depending on your case. Each of these sessions will range between 30 to 60 minutes.
During CBT sessions, you and your therapist will work together in order to break-down each of your problems into individual portions. These problems are typically broken down into actions, physical feelings and thoughts. Once your problems have been assessed your therapist will assist you in analyzing whether these areas are unhelpful and unrealistic and then determine the effects that have on you as an individual and those around you. Your therapist can now assist you in working out methods on changing unhelpful behaviors and thoughts.
Once you have reached the point that you are able to determine what you are able to change, your therapist will assist you on how you can use these changes in daily life. The following sessions will then be used to discuss how these changes may be working for you. The outcome of these sessions is to teach you the way you can apply these skills into your daily life. The aim is to assist you in managing any problems in your life so that they no longer promote a negative impact in your life.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of CBT
Some research has indicated that cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as certain types of medication for treating specific mental related health problems. In some cases CBT can actually replace the medication the person may be using at the time. When compared to other types of talking therapies, CBT is easily completed in a short space of time.
However, in order to truly benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, you have to be committed to such a process. Your therapist will be there to advise and help you, but they are unable to make your problems subside when you may be lacking in motivation or committment. In addition, the nature that is structured for CBT is not really suitable for patients that have learning difficulties or complex types of mental disorders.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And The Types
CBT is typically carried out in a number of different methods that will include the following:
- Computerized CBT, which is a type of computer program
- Self-help aids, where you are able to carry out any exercises from a book
- Group therapy, that is conducted with other patients who are tackling the same types of problems
- Individual therapy, where you will attend one-on-one sessions with your therapist.