Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of psychotherapeutic treatment to manage psychological and emotional disorders including sleeping disorders, anxiety, drug abuse, addiction, eating disorders, depression, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder and other maladaptive behaviors, through altering one’s thoughts and actions (Beck 2). It is meant to modify an individual’s thoughts and behavior. The therapy centers on cognitive processes in relation to behaviors and emotional troubles. CBT is advantageous since it takes place within a limited time to manage emotional problems. It could be applied fortnightly or weekly sessions depending on the problem and the aims mostly extending from six weeks to half a year (Beck 7 & 8). It involves a patient functioning collectively with the therapist to point out the problem and their strategic management. CBT incorporates cognitive as well as behavioral therapy. Cognitive therapy expounds on how individual’s thinking is able to initiate mannerisms and moods. Behavioral therapy on the other hand expounds on an individual’s interactions with problems, behavior and their thinking. CBT lays crucial emphasis on the present progress and not on the past encounters although it also evaluates on the history of the thoughts in infancy and their impact through maturity.

First, CBT persuades an individual to identify and discuss their thoughts towards self, the society and other persons through a stage referred to as functional analysis, essential in indicating the effects of thoughts & feeling on maladaptive actions.  This stage may prove hard particularly for patients with introspection difficulty though it could effectively result to self-discovery and knowledge that helps in the progress of CBT. Secondly, it persuades an individual to discuss actual personal behavior and its effect on thinking and feelings (Beck 10). Here the patient is able to learn and put to practice new procedures applicable in the actual society. For instance, addicted individuals may learn coping skills, applying them and also new manners to handle scenarios leading to relapse. Thus, the key concept in understanding the mechanism of CBT is appreciating the fact that individual’s thinking as well as feelings shapes personal behavior. For instance, negative thoughts on basic incidences such as drowning may make an individual to avoid swimming. Thus CBT allows patient to understand that they have no absolute control of the society but they have a role of in positively interpreting and perceiving such occurrences. As a result, CBT achieves a change of thoughts through cognitive therapy and the course of one’s actions thorough behavioral therapy thus, enhancing self esteem and perceptions toward the society (Beck 11).

As opposed to psychotherapy, CBT centers on dealing with current problems and not on the past ones by practically drafting procedures of having a healthy state of mind every day and does not incorporate pharmacological medications (Beck 6). It is essential not in eradicating a specific problem but on managing it through positive thinking thus, effectively managing problems such as anxiety as well as depressions. CBT has recently proved acceptable among therapists, clinicians and sociologists since it is short time therapeutic treatment and inexpensive, relative to other therapeutic procedures. Its wide use is also attributed to its effectiveness in managing diversified maladaptive behaviors. CBT is gradual toward attaining great goals, which makes the process less demoralizing and easier to effectively attain the specific set goal. Its outcomes can also be determined easily. It is recommended for individuals who practice introspection at ease. However, its effectiveness depends on the patient’s cooperation and his willingness to invest time on introspection (Beck 5). Self-analysis exposes inherent aspects and their enormous effects on physical behavior and is essential in learning coping skills applicable in day to day life.

Work Cited

Beck, Judith. Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York: The Guilford Press, 1995

Last Completed Projects

topic title academic level Writer delivered

Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.

Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.

[order_calculator]