Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
the Answer to Your Problems?
People tend to shy away from therapy for any number of reasons. Maybe they think they don’t need it, maybe they’re ashamed of needing it in the first place, or maybe they’ve heard its bogus mumbo-jumbo that doesn’t do anything.
The truth is, no matter how skeptical you might be about the benefits of therapy, if it didn’t work, us therapists wouldn’t have much to do, would we? The reason psychology is such a thriving field is because the benefits of our practice are ever-relevant, and as a professional, I adapt to changing times to help patients as best I can with their ever-evolving problems.
One of my favorite treatment options for my patients is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you don’t know what that is, don’t worry! I’ve outlined everything you’d need to know below to figure out if CBT is the answer you’ve been looking for.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, exactly?
To put it very, very simply – cognitive behavioral therapy is a formal way of referring to treating negative behavior and thinking patterns. Therapists use a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy to help patients overcome issues with the passage of time. It’s more hands-on, result-oriented in comparison to other methods hence, the popularity.
So how do I know if it’s for me?
While your therapist is going to be able to make a better judgment call on whether CBT is for you or not, there are a few indicators that you can look at to get a preliminary idea of whether the treatment is for you.
Do you suffer from any of the following?
Depression
Anxiety
Anger Management
Mood Swings
Substance Abuse
Unhealthy eating habits
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Phobias
The above list is only a snapshot of problems that can be treated by CBT but it gives a fair overview.
Do you want a short-term, effective solution?
CBT is usually not a long, drawn out treatment. The therapist and patient work together to identify and work towards goals that will help you notice a change in how you feel as soon as possible. If you’re someone who always wondered if therapy was just lying on a couch sharing feelings, CBT will prove you wrong. It is a more structured form of therapy that aims to focus on the specific thoughts and behaviors that limit you so that the treatment can be tailored to helping address them.
Is it for you, then?
If you relate to any of the above, CBT may be a viable solution to look into. We don’t realize how much of our troubles are a consequence of our beliefs, thoughts, and attitudes. But remember, you might just be a step-in-the-right-direction away from solving problems that seem impossible to overcome. Admitting you need help is the first stepping stone to getting better and if you’re reading this article, you’re already there!