What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy or talk therapy. You attend sessions with a CBT therapist who will first help you identify unproductive behaviors and thought patterns. They will then support you as you develop better coping skills.
Depending on your needs, this may involve learning new problem-solving skills, changing behavioral patterns, better understanding the motivations of others, and facing your fears.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective forms of psychological treatment because it helps you connect the dots between your behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Numerous studies have shown that CBT is equally or more effective than other forms of treatment for various problems, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Stress
- Relationship problems
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorders
Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reduce My Stress?
CBT isn’t just for people with a diagnosed mental health condition. Anyone can benefit from this type of therapy to help relieve stress and cope with life’s challenges.
Research shows that CBT, alone or in combination with other treatments such as antidepressants, can help you develop more productive coping skills and improve your quality of life.
Among other things, this includes learning how to handle better stressful situations, negative emotions, conflicts, grief, loss, and more through various relaxation and coping techniques.
Of course, CBT can’t make stressful situations go away. It can, however, change how you respond to them and help you become more resilient. By becoming better at managing stress, you may experience a reduction in your overall stress levels.
What Are the Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Patients benefit from treatment differently depending on their therapy goals. Benefits of CBT include:
- Identifying stressors. CBT can make you more aware of triggering situations, behaviors, and thought patterns. By knowing your stressors, you can develop a plan to avoid or address them or change your attitude.
- Managing stress. One of the main goals of CBT is to teach you skills to manage stress more effectively.
- Taking better care of yourself, mentally and physically. Self-care is a cornerstone of CBT. By better looking after yourself, you become more resilient in all aspects of life.
- Setting and achieving goals. CBT can teach you to set realistic goals and take small, consistent steps toward achieving them.
Are There Any Risks With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT has minimal risks. Like any talk therapy, you will explore unpleasant feelings, thoughts, memories, and experiences. This part of the process may cause you to feel upset, angry, confused, or physically drained, but that’s all perfectly normal.
Depending on your treatment plan, CBT may include exposure therapy, which requires you to confront your fears or uncomfortable situations. For instance, if you’re scared of dogs, your therapist may recommend that you spend time around a friend’s dog in a controlled setting. This can cause temporary stress or anxiety, but your therapist can help you manage these negative emotions.
How to Find the Right Therapist for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
“Therapist” or “psychotherapist” is an umbrella term, not a job title. All licensed professionals with mental health training can be psychotherapists, including:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatric nurses
- Social workers
- Professional counselors
- Marriage and family therapists
You can find a CBT therapist through a referral from a friend, relative, or healthcare provider. Alternatively, you could look up therapists online through local and state psychological associations.
Either way, ensure your therapist is a licensed mental health professional and has a certification to practice in your state and experience in treating your area of concern. Having a good “fit” with them as a person is also essential, as it facilitates openness and trust.
Breaking Dawn Therapy | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Experts
You don’t need to meet with your therapist face-to-face: Online therapy for CBT can be just as effective. If you’d like to try CBT from the comfort of your home with a trusted and compassionate therapist, consider giving Breaking Dawn Therapy a try.
Our experienced therapist, Kristen Stewart LMSW-C, uses empathy and evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, loss, trauma, and more.
Contact us at 734-457-1253 or fill out our contact form to schedule your online therapy service appointment.
