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Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

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Cognitive Therapy (CT) or Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) was pioneered by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, while he was a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania. Having studied and practiced psychoanalysis, Dr. Beck designed and carried out several experiments to test psychoanalytic concepts of depression. Fully expecting the research would validate these fundamental concepts, he was surprised to find the opposite. As a result of his findings, Beck began to look for other ways of conceptualizing depression. He found that depressed patients experienced streams of negative thoughts that seemed to arise spontaneously. He called these cognitions “automatic thoughts.” He found that the patients’ automatic thoughts fell into three categories. …show more content…

He found that by doing so, patients were able to think more realistically. As a result, they felt better emotionally and were able to behave more functionally. When patients changed their underlying beliefs about themselves, their world and other people, therapy resulted in long-lasting change. Dr. Beck called this approach “cognitive therapy.” It has also become to known as “cognitive behavior therapy.”
Definition
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is talking therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns to affect change that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a time sensitive, structured. Present oriented psychotherapy directed toward solving problems and teaching clients skills to modify dysfunctional thinking and behavior.
CBT is based on 5 key areas (or elements) which strongly influence each other and give rise to patterns of thought, behavior and emotions. In all cases of psychological distress there will be the patterns of thought, feelings and behavior that maintain and exacerbate difficulties and distress. Sometimes clients will recognize some of these patterns, but more commonly they are not fully aware of the ones that maintain their difficulties.
Elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Five interacting elements in CBT are following;
1. Cognition. Our thoughts and …show more content…

 It can be completed in a relatively short period of time compared to other talking therapies.
 The highly structured nature of CBT means it can be provided in different formats, including in groups, self help books and computer programmers.
 It teaches you useful and practical strategies that can be used in everyday life, even after the treatment has finished.
Disadvantages
 You need to commit yourself to the process to get the most from it, a therapist can help and advise you but they need you co-operative
 Attending regular CBT sessions and carrying out any extra work between session can take up a lot of your time.
 It involves confronting your emotions and anxieties, you may experience initial periods where you are anxious or emotionally uncomfortable.
 It may not be suitable for people with more complex mental health needs or learning difficulties, as it requires structured session.
 It focuses on the individual’s capacity to change themselves as their behaviors, thoughts and feelings which does not address any wide problems in systems or families that often have a significant impact on an individual’s health and

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