CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem solving. CBT rests on the assumption that the way people think and interpret life’s events affects how they behave and feel. CBT highlights how negative thoughts can lead to negative feelings and actions.The goal is to change harmful patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, thus changing the way the person feels.
This type of therapy is used to help treat a wide range of issues in a person’s life, from sleeping difficulties or relationship problems, to drug and alcohol abuse or anxiety and depression.
Therapy sessions focus on exploring and developing methods to deal with challenges and behaviors that arise day to day. This type of therapy can be effective in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and various other mental health conditions. CBT often consists of 5–20 one-on-one sessions, though some people may have more. The American Psychological Association explains that CBT relies several beliefs, such as that:
Unhelpful ways of thinking and behaving can lead to psychological distress.
People can learn more beneficial ways of thinking and behaving.
New habits can relieve symptoms of mental and physical conditions and allow people to act in more beneficial ways.
The central theory is that problems arise from events and the meanings that people assign to them. Unhelpful thoughts can make it difficult for a person to function confidently in various situations.