Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been proven through research to be highly effective at addressing a range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Several studies suggest that CBT can significantly improve functioning and quality of life, and others demonstrate that CBT is as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.
CBT is based on the following core principles:
- Psychological problems are based, in part, on unsound or unhelpful thought processes.
- Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of defective behavior.
- Individuals suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving the problems and becoming more effective in their daily lives.
CBT treatment generally involves making changes to thinking patterns with strategies that may include:
- Learning to recognize that one’s distorted thought processes are creating problems, and then reevaluating them from a realistic perspective
- Gaining a greater understanding of the behaviors and motivations of others
- Using problem-solving skills to cope with challenging situations
- Learning to improve confidence in one’s own abilities
This form of treatment usually also involves efforts to change behavioral patterns with strategies that can include facing fears instead of avoiding them, preparing for potentially problematic interactions with others, and learning to calm the mind and relax the body.
CBT treatment places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to become their own therapists. Through various exercises during the treatment session as well as through ‘homework’ outside of sessions, individuals develop coping skills intended to change their own problematic thinking, emotions, and behavior.
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