Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is defined as a well-structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy commonly called talk therapy. Counselors and therapists use it to treat and manage mental health disorders and emotional trauma.
A therapist or psychologist assists an individual in taking a closer look at your thoughts and emotions. With time one begins to comprehend how your thoughts affect your actions. Through CBT, an individual can get rid of negative thoughts and behaviors and pick up healthier and positive thinking habits or patterns.
CBT is typically carried out over a limited number of sessions. Using a question-and-answer format, your therapist enables you to obtain a different approach to your issue. Therefore, you learn to respond better to stress, pain, and problematic areas of your life.
CBT can be carried out singly or together with medication and different forms of therapies. An individual’s therapist will customize your treatment based on your profile and the issues you are facing.
How do I choose a therapist?
A therapist can be a medical doctor -a psychiatrist who can prescribe medications, a psychiatric nurse, psychologist, social worker, and marriage or family therapist. Communicate with people you trust to give you a referral, whether your doctor or close relations. You could also search online.
Ensure that any therapist you’re looking at is a state-certified and licensed mental health professional specialized in your area of concern. It could vary from eating disorders, depression, marriage and family problems, anxiety to PTSD.
Most therapists’ websites have a number of conditions and types of problems they treat. In case of any inquiries, call, text, or email the therapists’ office before deciding.
What disorders and conditions do cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treat?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is useful in treating and managing a variety of mental trauma and emotional issues. It cuts across all ages, and even children can be subjected to CBT.
Therapists and psychologists use CBT to handle many disorders and conditions, including:
- Chronic pain: CBT can teach people who have chronic pain disorders to manage pain in a new way. A new way may help you change how you respond to physical discomfort.
- Eating disorders: CBT can assist people who have eating disorders be it bulimia or binge eating
- Everyday challenges: Cognitive behavioral therapy can be advantageous for anyone struggling with complex challenges. You might seek assistance for issues like grief, divorce, problems at work, or relationship troubles.
- Mental illness: people with severe mental disorders respond well to CBT. It assists people with anxiety depression, among many others. When used together with medication, CBT is also useful in treating bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Sleeping disorders: common sleep disorder such as insomnia that CBT can help treat or manage.
- Substance use disorders: People who have substance use disorders use CBT to adjust to sober living and support their recovery.
