Any person exposed to the world of counseling has likely heard of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (also known as “CBT”). This treatment method is widely used in therapeutic practice all over the world due to extensive research of its success with multiple types of mental dysfunction. However, anybody can benefit from CBT, whether they have a mental disorder or not.
While its name may sound fancy or complicated, the practice itself is quite simple. Cognitive refers to ‘cognitions’ or thoughts, and behavioral refers to… well, behaviors. CBT works by looking at how our thoughts affect our behaviors.
CBT offers more structure than other forms of therapy, which often helps a person quickly work toward goals. In therapy, this practice helps a person identify negative thinking patterns and reframe them to support healthier behaviors.
Common practices:
- Identifying life events, experiences, or distortions influencing negative thinking patterns
- Better understanding how and why these thinking patterns influence your behavior
- Finding healthier behaviors to cope with stress and problems
- Practicing coping skills to build new habits over time
CBT ultimately sets you up to be your own therapist in a sense. After exploration with a professional, it becomes much easier to apply the principles to other areas of your life. A professional can always offer additional support when needed, but this type of therapy is designed to change behaviors and end.
The length of time it takes to change a behavior depends on a variety of factors including its type, severity, how long it has been occurring, the effort you put into practice, and your environmental support. I offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you or someone you know wants more information about CBT, schedule an appointment or free 15-minute consultation today.
For further reading, you can visit the American Psychological Association.
