What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and How Can It Help?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, where you work with a licensed professional mental health counselor. CBT helps you to become aware of adverse or untrue thinking patterns so you can change your thinking and view challenging, triggering or unfavorable situations more clearly and react in a more positive way.

CBT is useful for people struggling with mental disorders like depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, etc but it is also a helpful tool for anyone who wants or needs more help in managing stressful situations.

CBT is a structured and goal-oriented form of therapy, so it usually requires fewer sessions than other types of therapy. If you decide you want to try CBT, first you will need to find a therapist. You can visit with your primary health care provider for a referral, ask your friends and family for recommendations or simply search online. Some health insurance plans will cover the cost of psychotherapy so you will want to check with your insurance provider so you understand the cost. It would also be helpful to do a little research online to prepare yourself before your first session, but this is not a requirement. The Mayo Clinic has some great and general information on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

As with all forms of therapy, it is important to be as open and honest as possible with your therapist so they are able to help you as best they can. Also, if you are nervous consider bringing along a trusted friend or family member as a support. CBT is a great resource for anyone who wants greater control over their internal world and is a useful tool for managing many types of stressors. Contact us and see how we can help you today.

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