Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Treat?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short, is a highly structured form of talk therapy designed to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Unlike some forms of psychotherapy that are intended to help individuals cope with issues over the long term, CBT is a short-term therapy that usually, when successful, can achieve results in anywhere from five to twenty sessions (depending on the specific concerns of each unique patient). During these sessions, the therapist will help the patient learn about his or her mental health condition, identify and redirect negative thought patterns, and practice techniques such as coping, relaxation, resilience, assertiveness, and stress management.
While CBT is a highly structured approach to traditional talk therapy, it is, at the same time, flexible enough to be adapted to meet the unique needs of each patient. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy can be a stand-alone treatment option or it can be combined with other types of therapy and/or medications. CBT can also be performed in a one-on-one setting, with family members (or other members of the patient’s support network), and/or in a group setting. At the outset of treatment, the patient and counselor will work together to develop a treatment plan best suited to achieve the patient’s short- and long-term mental health goals.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a particularly popular form of psychotherapy because it is an appropriate treatment for many (but not all) mental health concerns and specifically structured to identify and cope with those concerns without necessarily needing to commit to a lifetime of therapy. Moreover, CBT can be a highly useful tool for coping with emotional challenges across a wide spectrum. For instance CBT can help many patients:
Cope with the emotional repercussions of a physical illness
Manage symptoms of a chronic physical ailment
Identify useful mechanisms for managing strong emotions
Learn coping mechanisms for stressful situations
Develop communication and conflict resolution skills to improve personal relationships
Cope with loss and/or grief
Overcome emotional trauma stemming from abuse and/or violence
For patients suffering from a diagnosed mental illness, CBT can help:
Manage the symptoms of that mental illness
Prevent a potential relapse of mental illness symptoms
Provide a treatment option when medications are not appropriate
Mental Health Conditions that May Improve with CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of mental health concerns, either as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatment modalities including medication. Conditions that may improve when appropriately treated with CBT include:
Sleep disorders
Depression
Phobias
Anxiety and panic disorders
Eating disorders
Substance abuse
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Sexual disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorders
Schizophrenia
Can Any Therapist or Counselor Provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very specific treatment approach to mental health. Therefore, when selecting your therapist, it is important to choose a mental health provider with the training and expertise to treat your specific mental health concern. At a basic minimum, you should verify that your therapist is licensed to practice psychotherapy in your state. However, it is also important that you ask whether your therapist has experience treating your specific concern, especially if you are struggling with a serious mental health illness such as an eating disorder or PTSD. “Therapist” can be a generic term, and while all therapists have mental health training, not all counselors will be qualified to treat your specific symptoms.
At the same time, for your CBT to be successful, it is important that you find a therapist whom you trust and with whom you feel comfortable. During your CBT sessions, you will be asked to talk about uncomfortable, difficult, and personal issues; if you do not feel comfortable being completely open and communicating honestly with your therapist, your CBT—ultimately—will simply not work. It’s absolutely acceptable to speak with several different therapists in order to find one with whom you can develop a firm relationship of trust and confidentiality.
NEED HELP?
Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) wants to help. We offer a variety of counselling and therapy services, hours, and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments in office or by TeleHealth conferencing.
Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Located in Tampa, Florida. Ask us about our new NEUROLEASE™ TREATMENT THERAPY - A cutting edge treatment for releasing toxic emotions.