Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment that focuses on changing our automatic negative thought/belief responses. CBT works to address the client’s present-day thoughts, moods, and behaviors. CBT is used to identify, challenge, and replace these negative thoughts or beliefs. CBT is built upon three tenets.
- What we think affects how we feel and act.
- How we act affects how we think and feel.
- What we feel affects how we think and act.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobias, PTSD, OCD, addiction, eating disorders, etc. CBT is a highly structured therapeutic modality, generally considered short-term therapy, typically ranging from 5 to 20 sessions, with each session lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Factors such as the severity of symptoms and type of mental health disorder may play a part in determining how many sessions are appropriate.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be combined with other therapeutic modalities and/or treatments. CBT is client-centered and collaborative. During the sessions, the client and therapist break down the client’s concerns into thoughts, physical feelings, and actions. A unique feature of CBT is the homework or between-session work done to practice the skills learned in session –this helps to facilitate change and ensure’s that the client is getting the most out of their therapeutic experience.
Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Several specific types of therapeutic approaches involve CBT. While each therapeutic process is unique, they all address psychological distress brought on by automatic negative thought or belief responses.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Behavioral Activation (BA)
- Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotion-Focused Cognitive Therapy
- Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
- Integrative Couple Therapy (ICT)
- Metacognitive Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Multimodal Cognitive Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What Are The Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT stresses self-awareness for healthier thinking patterns and moods. CBT is a short-term therapy that teaches and builds upon skills intended to be used after the sessions finish. Because of its structure, CBT can also be facilitated in a variety of settings, including groups. CBT can be a helpful therapeutic booster, especially for those who opt for a medicinal-only treatment approach.
What Are The Limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
If you’re not ready to do the work (for whatever reason), you will not reap the full benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT requires the client to commit themself to the process and be an active participant –this means completing the between-sessions work and coming into sessions prepared to discuss. CBT also involves confronting emotions and anxieties, which can be challenging and uncomfortable.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the individual’s capacity to change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It may not be suitable to treat relationship concerns, (unless facilitated via Integrative Couple Therapy).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may not be suitable for individuals with complex mental health needs or learning difficulties.
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