What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented psychotherapy approach that aims to help the person identify destructive and distressing thought patterns that negatively affect their feelings and thoughts, and learn how to replace them with more constructive ones.

The goals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may include the following:

Helping the person notice the thinking errors that cause anxiety and stress, and teaching them to reevaluate these within the framework of reality
Equipping the person with problem-solving skills so they can develop ways of coping with difficult situations they encounter
Helping the person approach themselves with acceptance and a sense of self-confidence

Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to identify maladaptive and negative thought patterns, reactions, and behaviors, and replace them with more positive and functional ones. In this respect, it combines techniques from Cognitive Therapy and Behavioral Therapy.

For Which Psychological Issues Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Effective?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a short-term psychotherapy method that focuses on the person’s current beliefs and thinking errors. CBT is supportive for many psychological issues, including the following:

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

Addiction

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Phobias

Eating Disorders

Panic Attack

Anger Issues

Personality Disorders

Loss and Grief

Relationship Problems

Exam Anxiety

Stress Management

Separation / Divorce Processes

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Session Process

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally a short-term, goal (symptom)-focused, structured psychotherapy approach. Approximately 10–15 sessions are held; however, this can be set as longer or shorter by mutual decision of the therapist and the client.

Session duration is about 45–50 minutes and sessions are usually held once a week; however, depending on the therapist’s way of working, as therapy nears its end the interval between sessions may be reduced to once every two or three weeks.

At the beginning of therapy, the therapist informs the client about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and explains the basic CBT techniques and concepts. This transfer of information is called psychoeducation. In this way, the client’s understanding of the process increases and their question marks are reduced.

As the therapy process nears its end, work can be done to consolidate the gains the client has achieved so that they can use their coping skills against life’s difficulties on their own, even without a therapist.

Techniques Used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychoeducation

Journaling / Note-Taking

Identifying Thinking Errors

Finding Automatic Thoughts

Relaxation & Stress-Reduction Exercises

Role Playing (Role-Play Technique)

Socratic Questioning