Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is treatment that helps people understand their thoughts and feelings that influence behavior. CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including phobias, addictions, depression, and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally short-term and focused on helping clients deal with specific issues. During treatment, people learn to identify and change destructive patterns of behavior that influence them. Learn more about how it works and how it might support recovery.
Basics
The underlying concept behind CBT is that thoughts and feelings play a role in our behavior. A person who spends a lot of time thinking about plane crashes, accidents, and air disasters may find themselves avoiding air travel. The goal of therapy is to teach people while they cannot control their world, they can control their interpretation. CBT has become popular with both mental health consumers and treatment professionals. CBT is usually short-term treatment and more affordable than other therapies. CBT is supported and shown to help those with difficult disorders and behaviors.
Main Focus
One of the main focuses of cognitive-behavioral therapy is on changing automatic negative thoughts that contribute to emotional challenges. These negative thoughts spring forth and are often accepted as true, due to negative influence. People are often able when they look at their thoughts to be more realistic and aware of unrealistic thoughts that bring mood down. Healthier thinking patterns are necessary.
Process
During the process of CBT, the therapist tends to take an active role. CBT is highly goal-oriented and focused. The client and therapist are collaborators, working together. The therapist can explain the process and often they are given homework to finish between times. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used as short-term treatment centered on helping the person deal with a specific problem. Some of the uses of CBT include:
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Depression
- Addiction
- Eating disorders
- Panic disorders
- Anger
CBT is a researched type of therapy and is focused on specific goals and results measured easily. Compared to psychoanalytic types of therapy, CBT is often best-suited for people more comfortable with a focused approach in which therapist often takes instructional role. It is a great way to learn how internal states impact outward behavior. CBT is well-suited for people in short-term treatment or need help with emotional issues. It is great for developing coping skills now and in the future and benefits many people in recovery.
A Step in the Right Direction provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through programs, therapeutic support, and evidence-based therapies. Our recovery program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction. For more information sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702.