What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a relatively short term, focused approach to the treatment of many types of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. The application of CBT varies according to the problem being addressed, but is essentially a collaborative and individualised program that helps individuals to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and learn or relearn healthier skills and habits.
It is also continually evolving, and third wave CBT therapies such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy and others are increasingly being used for a variety of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems.
What are the benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
By eliminating these thoughts and entertaining new ways of thinking about particular aspects of their lives, clients become empowered to change their behaviour in ways that cause them to feel less stressed and more satisfied.
In sessions:
- Your thoughts will be considered hypotheses that need to be tested.
- You’ll concentrate on learning new skills, not building a deep, therapeutic bond
- Your therapy will focus on the present.
- Your sessions will be structured and educational.
Be prepared to do some homework. In order to prove to yourself that you can change that the change is working, your therapist will give you between-session assignments. You’ll most likely be asked to practice different thinking techniques and ways of responding to your environment.