Cognitive behavioral therapy is used for a variety of problems and is effective as a treatment for depression and various anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy works in most cases for the elderly, young people and children. The basic principles of this behavioral therapy and how it works are explained in this article. Format of this article:
- What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- When is cognitive behavioral therapy useful?
- Coping, the behavior that people exhibit to feel better and deal with problems
- The importance of collaboration between client and therapist during cognitive behavioral therapy
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of therapy in which clients gain insight into the way they think, feel and behave. Awareness of physical sensations associated with these experiences also receives attention. Cognitive behavioral therapy can therefore help to find out which thoughts and feelings clients have and how these thoughts and feelings relate to the client’s behavior. The therapy is given individually and in groups.
During cognitive behavioral therapy, clients learn to evaluate their cognitions (what they think) and sometimes adapt them to better ways of thinking . They also learn how to face problems and obstacles and become the boss. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used for many forms of psychopathology, including anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, specific fears and phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety) and depression.
Classification of cognitive behavioral therapy
At the start of therapy, the problematic behavior and the circumstances in which it occurs are identified. Together with the cognitive behavioral therapist, the client then examines and learns more appropriate behavioral patterns to respond to those circumstances. This can be done through exercises, forms of homework and behavioral experiments. An important part of cognitive behavioral therapy is relapse prevention. The client’s progress and strengths are monitored to prevent the client from falling back into old patterns when therapy is terminated or paused.
Why are these elements of this behavioral therapy?
People who are bothered by something can think in ways that are not helpful (this has to do with the coping style). For example, with an emotional problem, people may be more concerned about what has happened or what might happen. They blow up small things into big problems (turning a mouse into an elephant), notice more things that are wrong and expect things to (always) go smoothly.
When is cognitive behavioral therapy useful?
Everyone has problems or arguments sometimes. Problems or conflicts can arise in the different systems in which we find ourselves (family at home, school, sports club, circle of friends). We can often solve these problems ourselves or together. However, there are still things that we keep running into.
These problems sometimes seem unsolvable, too big and clear to understand and affect everything we do. The problems can then determine many things in our daily lives. This can be accompanied by anxious, restless and unhappy thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, anger and sadness. In such cases, people can often use better tools to work on the problems. A cognitive behavioral therapist can support this.
Coping, the behavior that people exhibit to feel better and deal with problems
The above experiences, thoughts and feelings are generally not experienced as pleasant. People often look for ways to feel better. However, some ways and behaviors to deal with this (coping styles) can also be counterproductive. It is common for people to avoid situations that they find difficult or exciting. They sometimes stay at home to avoid risks and unpleasant experiences. People can also no longer see the forest for the trees and stop trying and doing things.
The importance of collaboration between client and therapist during cognitive behavioral therapy
In cognitive behavioral therapy, the client and therapist work together to find the best solutions that match the problem and the client’s strengths. After all, the client is an expert by experience of his/her own life and what is bothering him/her.
Behavioral experiments in cognitive behavioral therapy
Behavioral experiments are often carried out during behavioral therapy. Together with the cognitive behavioral therapist, the client sets goals and carries out behavioral experiments to achieve those goals. The previously mentioned thoughts and feelings can also be tested and perhaps reevaluated.
In behavioral experiments it is possible
- the client discovers how he/she can control unpleasant feelings and thoughts
- the client explores and recognizes helpful thoughts
- teaching the client to solve problems better and become the boss