What is cbt used for

CBT helps to reduce these emotional problems by teaching clients to:. Each can influence the other. Behaviour can be changed using techniques such as self-monitoring, activity scheduling for depression and exposure and response prevention for anxiety.

There are many self-help books and websites based on cognitive-behavioural principles. Evidence shows that these resources are more useful when the person also gets support from a therapist, especially if he or she experiences low mood. CBT-based self-help approaches include:. There has been a lot of research on CBT. Evidence suggests that it is particularly effective in treating anxiety and depression. CBT has also been tailored to other specific problems.

Most people know within the first few sessions if they are comfortable with CBT and whether it is meeting their treatment needs. When the "fit" is not quite right, the therapist may adjust the treatment or suggest other treatment options. CBT may not be for you if you want to focus exclusively on past issues or if you want supportive counselling. CBT is a time-limited, focused treatment approach.

For problems such as anxiety and depression, CBT usually involves 12 to 20 sessions. However, the length of treatment can vary, depending on the severity and complexity of your problems—some people improve significantly in four to six sessions, while others may need more than 20 sessions. Cognitive-behavioural therapy: An information guide PDF. Back to top.

Your donation will fund the groundbreaking mental health research that is helping people on the path to recovery. Keep your finger on our pulse — latest CAMH news, discoveries and ways to get involved delivered to your inbox. To unsubscribe at any time click the link in our mailing or email: unsubscribe camh. In one, your partner says they feel unsatisfied with their job and have been considering other options. In the other, they say they might have developed romantic feelings for a close friend and have been considering breaking up with you.

Your anxious thoughts center on things that happen at work. They ask you to keep track of negative thoughts that come up at work, such as specific times you begin worrying about losing your job. You also explore your relationships with your co-workers to help identify reasons why you feel like they dislike you. In time, you begin to realize your thoughts are linked to a fear of not being good enough at your job, so your therapist begins helping you challenge these fears by practicing positive self-talk and journaling about your work successes.

A year ago, you survived a car crash. You feel panicked when getting into a car and often have flashbacks about the accident. You also have trouble sleeping since you often dream about the accident.

In therapy, you begin working through the panic and fear you feel when riding in a car. Together, you and your therapist find that looking up statistics about car accidents helps you counter these thoughts. You also list driving-related activities that cause anxiety, such as sitting in a car, getting gas, riding in a car, and driving a car. Slowly, you start getting used to doing these things again. Your therapist teaches you relaxation techniques to use when you feel overwhelmed.

You also learn about grounding techniques that can help prevent flashbacks from taking over. CBT is one of the most studied therapy approaches. In fact, many experts consider it to be the best treatment available for a number of mental health conditions.

Beginning therapy can seem overwhelming. You might wonder what the therapist will ask. You may even feel anxious about sharing your difficulties with a stranger. Not every therapist will be a good fit for you or your situation. CBT can be incredibly helpful. But if you decide to try it, there are a few things to keep in mind. Mental health issues and emotional distress could persist, even after therapy ends.

The goal of CBT is to help you develop the skills to deal with difficulties on your own, in the moment when they come up. Some people view the approach as training to provide their own therapy. CBT can last for weeks or months, usually with one session each week.

In your first few sessions, you and your therapist will likely talk about how long therapy might last. But give it time, and keep doing your homework and practicing your skills between sessions. Back to Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT. Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.

It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression , but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems. CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.

CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. CBT has been shown to be an effective way of treating a number of different mental health conditions. Although CBT cannot cure the physical symptoms of these conditions, it can help people cope better with their symptoms.

If CBT is recommended, you'll usually have a session with a therapist once a week or once every 2 weeks. The course of treatment usually lasts for between 5 and 20 sessions, with each session lasting 30 to 60 minutes.