What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Used For?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been used for a variety of mental illnesses, from depression and anxiety to eating disorders. Many studies have demonstrated that CBT can lead to a significant improvement in function and quality of life. It is known that CBT can be as effective, if not more, than traditional therapies and medications. CBT focuses on several principles, one of which is that mental health problems are based on unhealthy ways of thinking. Furthermore, they are based on learned unhelpful behavior, and learned coping skills can relieve symptoms of the disorder being focused on.
How Does CBT Help Change Thoughts and Behavior?
CBT helps individuals recognize distortions in their thinking that create problems, as well as learn to understand the behavior and motivations of others. This type of therapy utilizes problem-solving skills to help individuals cope with difficult situations and build confidence in their abilities. It also involves effort to change behavioral patterns by facing fears, instead of avoiding them, and teaching ways to calm one’s body and mind.
The main focus of CBT is to help the individual, or client, learn to be their own therapist. Through homework and in-session exercises, the therapist helps the client develop coping skills that can be used to change their perspective on life, as well as their thinking patterns and emotions. This type of therapy emphasizes the client’s current life, rather than the events leading up to their mental health concerns. The primary focus of CBT is to help clients move forward with their lives and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage future challenges.
Who Can Benefit From CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used mostly in those with anxiety and depression. However, it can be used for those with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and types of eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. This therapy can be used for many different mental illnesses, not listed above. CBT can also be used for those with chronic health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, which is a condition that causes widespread pain in the body.
What Should You Expect From CBT?
This therapy is typically weekly or biweekly, with “homework” assigned between sessions. The treatment usually lasts anywhere from 60 minutes to 6 to 30 sessions, but the length of treatment depends on the individual needs of the client. The sessions typically consist of breaking down problems into separate parts, such as your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Your therapist will help you identify which of these problems are unrealistic or unhelpful and will assist you in changing your thoughts and feelings to be more helpful and realistic.
Is CBT the Right Fit for Everyone?
CBT can be used with or without medication, and is usually quicker to complete than traditional talk therapies. It is highly structured and can be performed one-on-one or in groups. Furthermore, it can teach you helpful coping skills that you can use in your everyday life. However, you need to be committed to cognitive behavioral therapy to get the most out of it; most therapists have strict attendance policies when starting this therapy. Due to the nature of the program, there is also work that you need to complete outside of sessions, and this can consume part of your free time. It may not be suitable for those with a learning disability or more complex mental illnesses, and it involves facing your emotions and fears head on, which can be extremely difficult.
Also, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the individual’s thoughts and feelings, rather than addressing broader issues such as family or work-related problems. Those who struggle with change may have a harder time with cognitive behavioral therapy, as its main component is changing how you think, feel, and act.
How Does CBT Work?
Cognitive behavioral therapy works by breaking overwhelming problems into five smaller areas: Situations, thoughts, emotions, actions, and physical feelings. By focusing on these smaller sections, it breaks down a stressful or overwhelming situation into smaller, manageable ones. These five areas are often seen as connected, and they are known to affect each other. For example, if you feel uneasy about a situation, chances are you may feel sick to your stomach, have negative thoughts, and retreat back into a safe place.
CBT helps by being pragmatic, or by being practical, and it helps identify the problem and ways to solve it. It is highly structured and focused on the now, rather than the past. Collaboration is also a huge part of cognitive behavioral therapy, as you and your therapist will work together to solve your current problems. CBT also provides you with ways to break negative thought cycles by helping you reframe your perspective on the situation and adopt a more positive outlook. This newfound sense of optimism can help you learn from your mistakes and accept that bad things do happen. Think about this: Your best friend tells you that they no longer want to be friends with you. How would you react? Chances are, you’d be extremely upset and down about it for quite some time. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, you would learn that sometimes, it’s for the best. Perhaps the friend has been
somewhat unreliable for a while, or maybe they didn’t have your best interests in mind. This “friend breakup” could lead to you meeting new friends and open your world to new experiences.
Why Is CBT Considered So Effective?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is recognized as a highly effective treatment that has helped many people worldwide. It involves both in-session and at-home work, which can be very time-consuming. However, with time and commitment, it can be
extremely beneficial. Whether it is done one-on-one or in a group, CBT is one of the more effective therapies, or more widely used in today’s modern psychology world, especially in the United States.
Individual Online Therapy in Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, and Utah
At Calming Transformations Counseling, our therapists understand life can be hard and can affect our emotional and mental health. We also serve those with anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship issues, who may be religious. Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.
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About the Author
Chad Thompson, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing Christian Counseling in Tampa, Florida, and telehealth services across Florida, Utah, Idaho, and South Carolina. With a unique background in cinema studies and over a decade in hospitality, Chad brings a distinctive storytelling approach to therapy that helps clients see their struggles and growth through new perspectives. He specializes in faith-based counseling that integrates clinical expertise with Christian values, offering services including anxiety therapy, depression treatment, and support for military families. Chad’s warm, authentic style creates a safe space where faith and mental health can work together toward healing. Learn more about Chad’s approach to Christian Counseling and cinema therapy at Calming Transformations Counseling.
Sessions can be held through online therapy in the states of Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, or Utah, or walk and talk therapy in Hillsborough County, Florida. Contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful life.