Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT ( Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), is one of the most popular streams of psychotherapy. It is based on the assumption that our thoughts, emotions and behaviors are closely related, and changing one of these elements can affect the others.
CBT THERAPY – WHAT IS IT?
Online or in-person CBT therapy focuses on identifying and then modifying negative thinking patterns that often lead to emotional or behavioral problems. This is possible thanks to the collaboration between the therapist and the patient – together they identify problematic thoughts and beliefs that affect the patient’s feelings and behaviors, and then work to change them.
WHAT IS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?
CBT is a focused “here and now” approach, which means that it focuses on the patient’s current difficulties rather than deep analyses of the past. It helps the patient understand how their thoughts affect their well-being and behaviour, and this makes it possible to make specific changes that lead to an improved quality of life.
HOW DOES CBT THERAPY WORK?
CBT therapy – what is it and how does it work? These are very common questions. As part of CBT, the psychologist helps the patient to pay attention to their automatisms, i.e. spontaneous thoughts and reactions that occur without the participation of conscious thinking. Unconscious, negative automatisms can lead to difficult emotions such as anxiety, sadness or anger. What is CBT therapy? Psychotherapists working in this trend help patients identify and change negative cognitive automatisms or patterns using a variety of cognitive therapy techniques.
WHO IS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR?
Online or in-person cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in treating a variety of mental and emotional issues. Among them, we can mention m.in. depression, various forms of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder or eating disorders.
CBT therapy can also work well in treating sleep disorders, stress management problems, and even helping people struggling with addictions. Importantly, the cognitive-behavioral current is suitable not only for adults, but also for young people.
THE COURSE OF CBT THERAPY
The therapeutic process in the cognitive-behavioral stream begins with a thorough interview, which is aimed at recognizing the patient’s problems. During the first sessions, the therapist works with the patient to analyze the difficulties the patient is facing, as well as identify thoughts, emotions and behaviors that may be contributing to these problems. On this basis, specific goals are set that will be achieved during therapy. These goals are typically realistic, measurable, and focused on the patient’s current difficulties.
Behavioral and cognitive therapy
Each CBT session has a fixed structure. During therapy, the patient learns how to identify and modify their negative thoughts and beliefs, as well as how to work on implementing more constructive and thoughtful behaviors. The process is based on active collaboration, and the patient gradually acquires skills that help them better cope with challenges outside of sessions as well. The length of therapy and the frequency of meetings is determined individually, depending on the complexity of the problems.
TECHNIQUES USED IN CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy uses a variety of techniques to help the patient change their thoughts and behaviors for more positive ones. One important method is cognitive restructuring, which involves identifying negative thoughts and beliefs and then replacing them with new ones. The patient learns to question their automatic reactions to difficult and stressful situations, which allows them to gain more control over their emotions.
CBT THERAPY WHAT IT IS ABOUT
Another commonly used technique is exposure, which involves confronting anxiety-inducing situations in a gradual, controlled manner. This helps to reduce the intensity of negative emotional reactions over time, making it easier to control them. CBT also uses relaxation techniques, which are particularly helpful in coping with stress and anxiety – the patient learns how to reduce tension through breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation.
There are many techniques that can prove effective for different people – each of them is tailored to the individual needs of the patient to make the therapy as effective as possible.
WHY IS IT WORTH OPTING FOR COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered to be one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy. One of its main advantages is its effectiveness in treating disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or phobias. CBT therapy has a clearly defined structure, based on jointly set goals – thanks to this, the patient understands exactly what they are working on, and progress can be monitored on an ongoing basis.
CBT OR COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY
CBT focuses on the “here and now”, which allows you to quickly notice real changes in the patient’s daily functioning. Importantly, patients learn practical skills during therapy, which they can use outside of sessions, which allows them to better cope with difficulties even after the end of therapy. The acquired techniques for dealing with negative thoughts or emotions become tools that can be used in various life situations – the sense of control and self-confidence stay with the patient for a long time. With a focused and hands-on approach, cognitive behavioral therapy is an ideal option for people who want to achieve real and lasting change in a relatively short period of time.