Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Focus on the Present: CBT primarily addresses current problems and issues, rather than focusing extensively on past experiences. The therapy aims to provide clients with practical tools and strategies to manage their current symptoms and challenges.

Identifying Negative Thought Patterns: One of the first steps in CBT is helping clients identify and become aware of their negative or distorted thought patterns. These might include thoughts that are overly pessimistic, self-critical, or based on irrational beliefs.

Challenging and Restructuring Thoughts: After identifying these unhelpful thoughts, the therapist works with the client to challenge and reframe them. This might involve examining the evidence for and against a particular thought, considering alternative perspectives, and developing more balanced and realistic ways of thinking.

Behavioral Interventions: CBT also involves changing unhelpful behaviors that contribute to or maintain psychological problems. This might include gradually facing feared situations (exposure therapy), developing new coping skills, or engaging in activities that improve mood and reduce stress.

Skill-Building: CBT is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that often includes homework assignments or practice exercises. These activities help clients apply what they’ve learned in therapy to real-life situations, reinforcing new skills and ways of thinking.

Time-Limited and Goal-Oriented: CBT is typically a short-term therapy, often lasting between 6 to 20 sessions, depending on the individual’s needs. It is highly focused on specific goals set by the client and therapist, with progress regularly reviewed.

Evidence-Based: CBT has been extensively researched and shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many others.