Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is talk therapy. The name alludes to the use of both cognitive and behavioural therapy. Cognitive therapy alone focuses on moods and thoughts, and behavioral therapy focuses on actions. Thus, CBT involves a combination of both. It is used to treat a plethora of mental disorders such as PTSD, depression, etc.
What to expect during CBT:
Patients work with a therapist who navigates them through techniques such as relaxation, coping, resilience, stress management, and assertiveness. Patients should expect to learn about their mental condition. The whole process is meant to be personal. Patients are encouraged to talk about their feelings and what is causing them emotional stress. CBT uses a goal setting approach. Meaning, patients work on specific problems and create focused goals. Therapists may give out homework to help apply what is learnt in everyday life. This could look like activities, reading, etc.
Stages of CBT:
1) Getting to know the therapist
Breaking the ice and getting comfortable with sharing
Talk about family, work, etc
The therapist is making an assessment to cater to the specific needs of the patient
2) Understanding thoughts
Learn to understand and control thought process
Therapist may explore whether or not the patients thinking process is reasonable
May explore past events to understand their thinking
Patients learn to question upsetting thoughts and replace them with more helpful ones
Recognizing when doing something makes them feel worse and instead doing something more helpful
3) Understanding behaviour
Explore how thoughts and behaviour influence each other
Establish a pattern of thought and behaviour to help manage symptoms
Activities may include interacting with people in new ways or practice handling different situations to gain more control
4) Being your own therapist
Patients learn to treat themselves
They learn integral strategies to control their thought and behaviour processes, which can then later be implemented without a therapist
Does CBT completely address a person's mental disorder?
It may or may not depending on the person and the condition. However, CBT does teach individuals healthy coping mechanisms that can be used throughout their lives.
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