Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behaviour. Developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck, CBT is rooted in the concept that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected, and that altering one can positively impact the others.
The core principle of CBT is that psychological problems are partly based on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unproductive behaviour. By addressing these patterns, individuals can develop more constructive ways of coping. CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and typically short-term, making it practical and accessible for many mental health concerns.
How can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Help me?
Therapists using CBT work collaboratively with clients to recognize distorted thinking, challenge harmful beliefs, and replace them with more realistic, balanced thoughts. This process often involves homework assignments such as journaling, thought records, or practicing new behaviours outside of sessions. CBT is commonly used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among others.
One of CBT’s major strengths is its emphasis on skill-building, which empowers individuals to become their own therapists. Through increased awareness and cognitive restructuring, clients gain tools they can use long after therapy ends. Numerous studies have validated CBT’s effectiveness across diverse populations and settings, both in individual and group formats.
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