Cognitive behavioral therapy (English: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is a short-term form of psychotherapy geared towards current issues. It is based on the fact that the way an individual thinks and feels affects the way he behaves.
The focus in behavioral therapy is on solving the problems faced by the individual by changing his thinking patterns and thus changing his response to difficult situations. The cognitive behavioral therapy approach can be applied to a wide range of mental health problems and psychological conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the following:
How does a person think? (Cognition).
How does a person feel? (Passion).
How does a person behave? (Behavior).
All the above elements interact with each other, In particular, The way of thinking plays an important role in shaping emotion and behavior.
Goal of cognitive behavioral therapy
When is cognitive behavioral therapy used?
What is expected from cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques
Goal of cognitive behavioral therapy
Negative and unrealistic thoughts can cause psychological problems. It may affect mental health.
When a person is experiencing psychological distress, The way in which he interprets the surrounding situations is incorrect and deviant from reality, This, in turn, has a negative impact on the positions he takes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help people realize when they are making negative interpretations. And work to address behavioral patterns that promote distorted thinking.
Cognitive therapy helps people develop alternative ways of thinking and acting that aim to reduce their psychological distress.
When is cognitive behavioral therapy used?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is suitable for children, adolescents, adults, individuals, families and couples.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to have a significant or moderate effect in treating the following conditions:
Generalized anxiety disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
General stress and anger problems.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for fear.
Panic disorders.
Agoraphobia.
Social phobia.
Eating disorders.
Marital difficulties.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Childhood anxiety and depressive disorders.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may also be effective as an intervention in cases of chronic pain and associated distress.
What is expected from cognitive behavioral therapy?
Through cognitive behavioral therapy, a person learns:
Identify the painful and disturbing thoughts he suffers from that are related to his current problems, and determine whether these ideas are realistic or not.
If it turns out that the ideas he has are not realistic and do not serve him in his life, They will learn skills that will help them change their thinking patterns so that they are better able to deal with their problems.
Once a person’s perspective is more realistic, This will help the therapist determine the appropriate course of action. Perhaps the patient will get home training to do between sessions. It includes exercises that help to learn how to apply the skills and solutions reached during the course of treatment. For example, A person who is apprehensive and hesitant in social situations may be given homework to prepare to meet a friend at the café for a cup of coffee.
Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques
The following are examples of CBT techniques:
Evaluation: A cognitive therapist teaches the patient how to recognize his distorted cognition through the assessment process. For example, The therapist can reveal distorted ways of thinking such as, Build conclusions without looking at the situation.
The patient’s self-talk (English: Self-talk) by observing and observing the patient’s own thoughts and revealing them to the therapist, The challenge then is to replace them with other useful ideas.
Questions directed to discover the current state of the patient: CBT is closely related to the situation a person is in at present. So the therapist will first ask the patient to clarify what is on his mind at a given moment. This is to identify painful thoughts and feelings.
Idea Registration: The patient records the negative thought and puts evidence against it that the idea is ineffective.
Doing positive activities: Such as rewarding the patient himself by gifting roses to himself or going out for a walk.
The goal of behavioral therapy is to involve the patient in their treatment plan so that they understand that the best way to improve their life is to modify their thoughts in daily life.
