Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of short-term psychotherapy used to analyze the relationship between behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Unlike other forms of psychotherapy in which the patient reflects upon their thoughts and feelings with the therapists as a guide, in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the patient and therapist work together actively in order to heal. This method is used to treat a variety of mental disorders including anxiety disorders, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is problem focused and action based. It is often viewed as a rigorous form of therapy because there is a great deal of work and self reflection that comes with it; however, it is also an extremely beneficial form of therapy.
Benefit #1: Support
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides a support network for people recovering from mental disorders. Since it is action-based, patients know they have someone to turn to as they work through their problem. Knowing that there is someone interested in them and their recovery allows patients to work toward changing negative behaviors.
Benefit #2: Raises Self-Esteem
For many people, low self-esteem is at the root of their disorder. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy allows patients to build self-esteem by focusing on problems and working toward the solution. As patients find answers their belief in themselves grows and they are able to conquer the disorder.
Benefit #3:Creation of Positive Thought
With many mental disorders, negative thought patterns emerge and take over the life of the patient. Negative thinking becomes automatic with many patients. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches patients how to turn negative thoughts into positive, realistic ones.
Benefit #4: Anger Management
Controlling one’s anger and learning to direct anger is a major issue with the mentally ill patient. Patients feel guilt and shame and these feelings turn into anger at the world. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses the underlying issues that allow emotions to become overwhelming. It teaches patients various methods to help control emotional responses and to assist them in recognizing the reasons behind the anger.
Benefit #5: Better Communication Skills
Maintaining relationships is difficult when suffering from depression, addiction, and social anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps patients to learn how to communicate their feelings to others without becoming anger or feeling shame.
Benefit #6: Coping Skills Improve
The cause of many disorders is an inability to cope with stressful situations such as grief or trauma. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides patients avenues to deal with such situations. They learn to express themselves instead of bottling things up.
Benefit #7: Relapse Prevention
Patients suffering from mental disorders often relapse. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides patients with the tools they need to prevent relapses. Because patients have learned to identify their problems and learned coping methods, they are better equipped to recognize the thought patterns they need to avoid.
This is not to say that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides instant success. It is short term and it requires hard work, but the benefits of it are worth it all.