What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a relatively short-term approach to psychotherapy that focuses on changing thoughts (cognitions) and behaviors to relieve depression, anxiety and other distressing emotions.
Simply put, CBT says that you are depressed because you have depressing thoughts. Or you are anxious because you have anxious thoughts. While there may be some truth to your beliefs, – – [“My boyfriend broke up with me. I’m nothing without him.” Or, “I might get fired and nobody else will hire me.”] – – people who become depressed or anxious exaggerate or distort their thinking beyond the reality of the situation. Although your boyfriend broke up with you, that doesn’t make you a worthless person. Even if you do get fired, you are probably overlooking skills you have that would make you marketable elsewhere.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What it Teaches You
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches you to recognize the errors in your thinking and correct them to be more objective. This leads to improvements in your mood and behavior. Note the distinction between “objective” and “positive.” CBT is not about positive thinking. It’s about realistic thinking.
Unlike other types of talk therapy, CBT does not dwell in the past. We do want to know how you came to develop the beliefs that are causing you emotional distress, but the focus is on correcting problems in the present. Another key aspect that distinguishes CBT from other types of therapy is practicing new strategies between sessions. The quickest way to feel better is by applying what you learn in therapy to situations in your daily life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
History and Results
Since CBT became popular in the 1980s, hundreds of clinical trials have been conducted evaluating its efficacy for depression, anxiety, panic attacks and many other mental health problems.
Some research has shown that CBT is as effective as medication in treating depression. Other studies have found that combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with medication yields optimal results.
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