Cognitive behavioral therapy is a mix of psychology and social intervention that works toward improving a person’s mental health. CBT zeros in on changing unhelpful brain distortions and behaviors, enhance the balancing of emotions and help a person to develop coping strategies that target solving current problems.
Candidates for this kind of therapy include those who suffer from depression, panic disorders, insomnia, social phobia, and anger issues. Other candidates are those who suffer from substance abuse and addiction, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and sexual disorders.
Cognitive behavior therapy works by identifying problems in a person’s life, having a person become aware of their thoughts and emotions, and identifying negative or wrong thinking and reshaping negative thinking. The benefits of cognitive behavior therapy are getting support for recovering from mental disorders, raising self-esteem, creating positive thoughts, learning to handle anger better, and developing better communication skills.
Additional benefits are developing better coping skills and learning how to prevent relapses. Tips on finding the right therapist are doing research on therapist and finding out about the various therapies that are offered for this mental disorder. Other suggestions are looking for a therapist who has experience in this mental health field.
Also, find a therapist who offers consultations; check to see if he or she is licensed and a therapist who uses your insurance and find out about the requirements of your insurance company. Most importantly, if you don’t feel comfortable with the therapist you have chosen, choose another one.
Other tips for finding the right therapist are talking to friends and family, calling them, and see how you feel when talking to him or her. If they sound encouraging and helpful, then they may be a good match. If you like how it goes on the phone, make an appointment, and see how you feel when talking to them.
There are symptoms that a person should see a therapist such as if you are having difficulty regulating your emotions, you aren’t performing as effectively at school or at work, you are having trouble sleeping or with your appetite, or you are struggling to maintain relationships. Other symptoms are you have experienced trauma, you no longer enjoy activities you did in the past, you are grieving, your physical health is poor, you want to improve but you don’t know where to go to for help and you are using drugs to cope.
Traits of the right therapist include solid interpersonal skills, trustworthiness, willingness to establish an alliance with you, a way to explain your symptoms, a commitment to developing a consistent treatment plan, confidence during therapy, attention to the progress of treatment, and adapting therapy to your characteristics. Other traits are relaying hope and optimism for your chances of improvement, and having self-insight.
To conclude, cognitive behavioral therapy is a mix of psychology and social intervention that works toward improving a person’s mental health. Talk to a therapist soon and find out more about cognitive behavioral therapy.