If you have thought about going to therapy, one type of therapy that may have come up regularly in your research is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of evidence-based therapy helps you identify and then change unhelpful patterns in both your thinking and your behaviors. The basis for cognitive behavioral therapy is that everyone’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, so when you change how you think and act, you can change how you feel.
There are four main principles used in cognitive behavioral therapy, and they include:
- Behavioral change—When you change your behaviors, you can break unhealthy cycles. For example, if you avoid situations that cause anxiety, this may help temporarily but result in larger problems later on.
- Thought awareness—Everyone experiences automatic thoughts that affect how you interpret different situations. This type of therapy helps you recognize and challenge negative or distorted thinking patterns.
- Skill building—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you learn practical skills, like problem-solving, coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and assertiveness training.
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- Present focused—While you do acknowledge past experiences during therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on current problems and how you can improve them.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used to help with a variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, substance abuse, and more. We practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy here at Spring Garden Counseling Inc. and would be happy to tell you more about it. Contact us today!
