Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on how your thoughts, emotions, and actions are connected.

At its core, cognitive behavioral therapy treats psychological problems rooted partly in faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behavior. It aims to teach better coping methods to relieve symptoms and improve one’s quality of life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help treat certain emotional conditions, including:

Depression or anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Eating disorders
Phobias
Sleep disorders
Managing stressful life situations
Bipolar disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

It can also help you work through everyday challenges regarding relationship issues, grief, divorce, professional work issues, etc.

Some steps taken during cognitive behavioral therapy appointments include:

Identifying the situations in your life (illness, divorce, grief, anger, etc.) causing obstacles in your life
Tune into the thoughts and interpretations you have about these situations
Developing confidence in one’s abilities

Recognizing any thinking or behavioral patterns that contribute to the problem(s) or distort your understanding of a situation
Working to reshape negative or inaccurate thinking through problem-solving and coping skills

It can be done in one-on-one settings, in a group setting, or with family members. Some of the strategies employed in cognitive behavioral therapy are facing your fears, role playing to prepare for anxiety-inducing or potentially problematic interactions, and learning tools to calm and relax your mind and body. It can be particularly effective when combined with other forms of treatment, including medication, when appropriate.

While cognitive behavioral therapy may not completely solve your problem, it can help you cope more effectively and feel better about your situation.

If your symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider right away. Call 988 to get help immediately if you have suicidal thoughts or are thinking about harming others.

Source: