Cognitive Therapy | Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive Therapy | Cognitive Therapy What is Cognitive Therapy? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short-term form of psychotherapy that focuses on current issues, based on the principle that the way an individual thinks and feels affects their behaviour. CBT focuses on solving problems by changing thought patterns, which alters the individual's response to difficult situations. This approach can be applied to a wide range of mental health problems and psychological conditions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on the following: How does the person think? (Cognition) How does the person feel? (Emotion) How does the person behave? (Behaviour) All these elements interact with one another, with thought patterns in particular playing a key role in shaping emotion and behaviour. The Aim of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Negative and unrealistic thoughts can lead to psychological problems and affect mental health. When a person experiences psychological distress, the way they interpret situations may be inaccurate and distorted, negatively affecting their decisions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aims to help people recognise and address negative thoughts, and to work on changing behavioural patterns that reinforce distorted thinking. Cognitive therapy helps people develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving aimed at reducing their psychological distress. When is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Used? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is suitable for children, adolescents and adults, whether individually or with families or couples. CBT has been shown to have a significant or moderate effect in treating the following conditions: Generalised anxiety disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder General stress and anger issues Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anxiety Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for depression Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for phobias Panic disorders Agoraphobia Social phobia Eating disorders Marital difficulties Obsessive-compulsive disorder Childhood anxiety and depressive disorders Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may also be effective in cases of chronic pain and the distress associated with it. What to Expect from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? Through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a person learns the following: To recognise the painful and distressing thoughts they experience in relation to their current problems, and to determine whether these thoughts are realistic or not. If the thoughts are found to be unrealistic and unhelpful to their life, they will learn the skills needed to change these thought patterns and cope better with their problems. Once the person's perspective becomes more realistic, the therapist will help identify the right course of action. The patient may also be given homework to complete between sessions. These exercises help them learn how to apply the skills and solutions acquired during therapy. For example, a person who feels anxious in social situations may be asked to arrange to meet a friend at a café for a cup of coffee. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Techniques Here are some examples of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques: Assessment: The therapist teaches the patient how to recognise their distorted perceptions through an assessment process. For example, the therapist may reveal distorted thinking patterns, such as jumping to conclusions without considering the situation. Patient Self-Talk: The patient observes their thoughts and shares them with the therapist. The challenge is to replace these thoughts with more helpful ones. Questions to Explore the Patient's Current State: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is closely linked to a person's current state. The therapist will ask the patient to describe what is going through their mind at a given moment in order to identify painful thoughts and feelings. Recording Thoughts: The patient records the negative thought and counters it with evidence that disproves it. Engaging in Positive Activities: Such as rewarding oneself with a flower or going out for a walk. The aim of behavioural therapy is to engage the patient in their own treatment plan, so that they understand that the best way to improve their life is to adjust their thoughts in daily life. Source: Al-Tibbi website