How Does CBT Work?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common types of therapeutic treatment for mental health conditions. It’s designed to help you change negative thought patterns so you can overcome issues like anxiety, depression, and panic.
CBT has even been used to help with symptoms of ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD.
But how does it work? How can a type of therapy change your negative thinking patterns and help you make positive changes to your thoughts and behaviors?
Let’s dig deeper into how CBT really works so you can determine if it’s the right option for your needs.
What To Expect
Some forms of therapy dig deeply into your past. While you won’t completely ignore your past and how it’s influenced you, with CBT, this modality first focuses on your present thoughts and beliefs so you can determine which of those beliefs need to be challenged and changed.
You’ll likely set goals with your therapist early in your CBT sessions. This will help you determine what you most need to work on, making it easier to see where you are when your therapist checks in on your mood and any life updates.
What can you expect during a typical session? It depends on your needs and the negative perceptions you might be dealing with.
With that in mind, it’s not uncommon for a CBT session to be a lot of talking about what’s going on in your life currently and how different experiences might have impacted you.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Many CBT therapists make it easy to break down your challenging thoughts into smaller pieces. You can focus on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors separately.
During a session, you might try everything from learning how to calm your mind and body to role-playing certain situations. It’s important to be open to trying different things so you can find exercises that work for you.
Why CBT Is Effective
CBT works so well because it empowers you to live the life you want. When you have that underlying goal in mind, you’ll be more motivated to stick with your journey.
You might have a specific goal or idea for how you want to live your life. If things are getting in the way of that, CBT can help. It will challenge the negative thoughts that might seem to come automatically to you and compare them with reality.
For example, do you tend to jump to conclusions? Do you see things as only good or bad, with nothing in between? Maybe you just have a mindset that is often more negative than not.
Whatever the case, it’s important to challenge your thoughts with reality. If they line up, your feelings and behaviors will likely be positive. If they don’t, those thoughts need to be shifted.
What Can CBT Do?
By working with a CBT therapist, you’ll be able to develop a deeper awareness of any thoughts or feelings that could be unhelpful in your life. You’ll also be able to challenge any negative assumptions that could be holding you back from living the life you want.
Your therapist will help you distinguish negative thoughts from reality and work with you to develop healthier, more effective ways of thinking about things and working through different situations.
If your outlook and perception are having a negative impact on your life, CBT can help. You don’t have to challenge those thoughts on your own. If you’re interested in learning more about cognitive behavioral therapy and how it might meet your needs, don’t hesitate to contact me to set up an appointment.
