
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a Mental Health Professional, but I may not currently be your personal provider and this blog content does not create a provider-client relationship. This blog content is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your personal licensed mental health provider before you rely on this information.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, otherwise known as CBT, is a psychotherapeutic treatment that helps you learn how to identify and change destructive thought patterns that have a negative influence on your behavior and emotions. CBT focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing healthy personal coping skills. It’s the recommended evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression, and a host of other mental health/emotional ailments. But how is CBT different from any other form of therapeutic practices?
What makes it different from psychodynamic, insight-oriented, or past-oriented approaches is the focus on the present: What are you thinking about right now and how is that affecting your emotions and behaviors? What were you thinking when you started to feel anxious? What do you do when you start to feel angry? By focusing on the present moment, you are able to gain a better understanding of how your thoughts and emotions affect your daily life. The goal of CBT is to understand what happens in your brain and your body when emotions start to overwhelm you.
CBT gives you the power to cope with life in a healthy, more positive way and allows you to feel better about your life and most importantly, yourself.
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CBT typically includes:
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Uncovering the causes to your current issues.
Becoming aware of your thoughts and associated emotions and behavior.
Identifying negative or irrational thoughts
Reframing negative or irrational thoughts.
Developing new coping skills.
CBT can help you remove those negative thoughts that impact your thinking and replace them with positive ones that work for you rather than against you. It helps you rewire your brain.
Check out this article on pschologytoday.com for more information on CBT.
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