This type of therapy has gained popularity with both mental health experts and patients for its effectiveness and ability to dramatically reshape problematic behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy is supported by empirical research demonstrating its ability to help clients overcome maladaptive behaviors and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
How Does Cognitive Behavior Therapy Work?
Individuals suffering from problematic behaviors often experience thought processes that support and reinforce faulty beliefs. For example, a person who avoids pursuing a career opportunity due to an anxiety problem may think "I'm not good enough" or "I'm not smart enough." Cognitive behavior therapy works by helping the individual eliminate these destructive thoughts and replace them with constructive, reinforcing thoughts that boost self-esteem and reduce anxiety.This therapy treatment also focuses on the actual behavior itself. An individual who avoids certain situations due to anxiety will be challenged to take gradual steps toward recovery. This might involve engaging in relatively minor anxiety-provoking situations, and eventually working up to a much larger experience.
In addition to identifying underlying thought processes that impact behavior, the client and therapist will also work together to create strategies for coping in the future. For example, a therapist will teach an individual suffering from depression how to break down problems into manageable steps and develop a plan of action to overcome the problem.
Who Should Try Cognitive Behavior Therapy?
Cognitive behavior therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for a wide range of patients, including those experiencing anxiety, phobias, addictions and mood disorders. In fact, CBT is often the preferred treatment choice for many doctors and insurance providers. Because the therapy is highly goal-directed and relatively short term, it offers noticeable and rapid results. Practitioners of CBT report that more than 75% of clients experience significant improvement.Cognitive behavior therapy works best with clients who are prepared to spend time analyzing their thoughts and feelings. Introspection can be challenging, but it is an excellent way to help people discover the connection between their internal thoughts, ideas and beliefs and their outward behaviors.
Cognitive behavior therapy can be an excellent option for a client looking for a treatment that offers fast results without the need for expensive medications. Unlike psychopharmalogical treatments, CBT has no unpleasant side effects and can help clients develop coping skills that will last a lifetime.
