Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a problem-solving approach. While you can’t control other people or situations, you can control the way you perceive and react to a particular situation. CBT teaches you the skills to change your thinking and help you manage your reactions to stressful people and situations.
CBT can treat many health concerns. Some of these include:
- Depression and mood swings
- Social anxiety disorder
- Feelings of extreme shyness
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Borderline personality disorder
- Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia nervosa
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Substance abuse
- Chronic pain
- Difficulty with relationships
- Low self-esteem
- Poor coping skills
- Uncontrolled anger
What To Expect
The goal of CBT is to change your thought process. This will allow healthy and realistic responses to difficult situations. You may receive CBT in one-on-one therapy sessions or in a group setting. CBT can be divided into two parts: functional analysis and skills training.
You and your therapist identify stressful situations and determine the thoughts that lead to or worsened these situations. Together, you’ll analyze these thoughts to see if they’re realistic and appropriate.
Your therapist guides you to reduce unhealthy ways of thinking and to learn healthier ways. You’ll also learn to ask more questions about yourself before making a conclusion.
Homework is vital to the success of CBT. You must practice new, rational responses until they replace your previous, unhealthy responses. Homework also allows you to try new skills.
Content was created using EBSCO’s Health Library. Edits to original content made by Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.