Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Mental Health

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy based on the idea that individual perception has a greater connection to their reaction rather than the situation which caused it. The purpose of CBT is to help people overcome their harmful, repeating behaviors and change harmful ways of thinking.

CBT is considered a practical approach to breaking patterns of thought and behavior because the treatment involves solving a patient's emotional problems in a direct manner. A patient and their therapist will try to focus on attitudes, beliefs, and images that affect how the patient deal with extreme or unstable feelings.

A CBT technique consists of multiple sessions where a patient will explain their problems and list their expectations. Then, the therapist helps them develop some personal goals to achieve and keep track of their progress. They might be asked to record their thoughts in a journal over time.

Another method of CBT is for the patient to talk to themselves about their self-perception. For instance, if they made a serious mistake at work, they can try to approach it with a more positive attitude. It helps them circumvent overgeneralizations or worst-case scenarios.

According to CBT, one effective way to combat depression is to include scheduling pleasant activities. This requires the patient to plan to do something they enjoy but don't do often such as reading a historical novel or eating a banana. They can routinely complete these tasks in more manageable chunks, instead of all at once.

In terms of anxiety, there are methods that prevent extreme fear and panic. The individual could practice talking more slowly to relax. They are encouraged to think of rational and supportive self-statements until these become permanent thoughts. The important thing is for them to calm down enough to stop overwhelming feelings from clouding their judgment.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health problems, you can contact us for relationship counseling, overcoming prolonged depression, or advice on treating anxiety.