WHAT IS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THEORY (CBT)?Cognitive Behavior Therapy, also referred to as CBT, is an evidence-based psychological treatment proven to be effective through rigorous scientific research.
Evidence-based treatment can increase the chance that a problem is identified accurately and treated effectively. This can prevent the problem from being drawn out unnecessarily and decrease the chances of it coming back (i.e., relapse). Research has shown that CBT is an effective treatment for a wide range of problems, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, disordered eating, low self-esteem, anger problems, addiction, and personality disorders. In particular, CBT has been shown to be effective in the management of anxiety and depression, and is as (if not more) effective as treatment with medication alone. Research also shows that people experiencing anxiety and depression are less likely to relapse when treated with CBT. HOW CBT WORKSAs the name suggests, CBT focuses on the way people think ("cognitive") and act ("behavior"). The concept behind CBT is that your thoughts about a situation affect how you feel emotionally and physiologically as well as how you behave in that situation.
It is your thoughts about a situation that affect how you feel and act, not the situation itself. However, not all of your thoughts are entirely true and based on the facts provided from the situation. It is these unhelpful thoughts that lead to unpleasant emotions and unhelpful behaviors (e.g., avoidance) that reinforce your negative thoughts and maintain the problem. In other words, our thoughts, feelings and behaviors can interact and influence each other to create a vicious cycle. CBT can help you to break out of this vicious cycle by learning how to challenge anxious and depressive thoughts, regulate your emotions, and choose a different behavioral response. CBT IS FOR YOU IF YOU
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