Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Solving your Problems with CBT - By: Jay Benjamin

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy concerned with modifying your behaviour by changing your thought processes. It's designed to help people overcome emotional problems, depression, stress, and other similar issues. The main precept of CBT is that 'you are what you think'. In other words, in order to improve your condition you need to change the way you think.

This may sound obvious, but people have a tendency to externalize their problems. For example, a person may suffer from anxiety when being in a crowd of people. They may feel that people are staring at them, that they are being trapped, that the crowd is pressing closer to them, and so on. In their mind, it's the situation itself that is causing their anxiety; when really it's their thoughts about the situation which are causing the problem.

Much research has been done on the therapy, and it is considered to be a very effective treatment for anxiety and depression.

However, CBT is not a quick and easy solution. It requires regular sessions with a therapist, with a course of treatment possibly lasting up to 6 months. You need to be able to confront your problems and be prepared to work through your depression or anxiety, keeping motivated enough to complete the treatment.

Broadly speaking, CBT puts an emphasis on breaking down the problem concerned into small, manageable parts. Your therapist will help you to examine your thoughts and feelings to work out which of these are having a negative impact on your condition. Then they will examine how changing these thoughts can lead to you altering your behaviour in a positive way.

Many clinical trials have shown the benefits of CBT, especially for people who have specific, well-defined issues which need treating and the persistence keep up with their treatment in their daily lives. Although it is recommended to use a professional therapist, there are many self-help books available about CBT, and some people have very positive results working on their own.

About the Author

The author writes articles on health and other issues. She also has a site about surround sound wireless speakers and surround sound speaker stands.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Jay-Benjamin/62567

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