Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy or talk therapy that helps people manage mental health conditions and emotional difficulties by changing the way they think and behave. It is based on the idea that your thoughts affect your feelings and actions, so by identifying and challenging unhelpful or negative thought patterns, you can develop healthier ways of thinking and coping. CBT focuses on:
- Recognizing and challenging irrational or negative thoughts (cognitive distortions).
- Changing unhelpful behaviors linked to those thoughts.
- Learning practical coping skills and problem-solving strategies.
- Improving emotional regulation and reducing symptoms of conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and more.
The therapy is structured, goal-oriented, and usually time-limited, often involving a series of sessions with a therapist who guides you through understanding the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through CBT, you learn to replace negative self-talk with more rational and positive thinking, which can help reduce anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges. CBT can be personalized to address specific problems and is effective for a wide range of mental and physical health issues. It is often combined with other treatments like medication or other therapies, but can also stand as an effective treatment alone. CBT techniques can be adapted for individual or group therapy and even self-help approaches. In summary, CBT is a practical, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals become aware of and change detrimental thought and behavior patterns to improve mental health and quality of life.
