How does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy work?
Often, problems arise from the meaning that people assign to events. If an individual has many unhelpful thoughts, it can be difficult for them to function properly in daily life. CBT can help individuals learn to make positive changes in how they feel and act as well as teach them coping skills, preparing them to deal with future challenges that may arise.
CBT treatment works to reveal the effect of actions and thoughts on behaviour and overall mental health. Through a process called cognitive restructuring, CBT focuses on modifying distorted thoughts that are affecting behaviour and replacing them with more adaptive and accurate ways of thinking. Distorted perceptions can make a person more susceptible to having a negative mindset, jumping to conclusions, and inaccurately seeing situations as catastrophic.
In CBT, the goal is to identify, recognize, and manage specific unhelpful thoughts or behaviours. A person with unwanted feelings related to depression or anxiety can work to change their thoughts and behaviours to improve the way they feel. CBT strategies include: