Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
SHORT TERM, SOLUTION-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a relatively short-term, solution-focused psychotherapy for a wide range of psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, anger, marital conflict, fears, and substance abuse/dependence. The focus of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is on how you are thinking (your “cognitions”), how these thoughts lead to feelings, and how these feelings and thoughts lead to your behaviors.
When you begin Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, your therapist will ask you to fill out several self-report forms that assess a range of symptoms and problems. The purpose of these evaluations are to gather as much information as possible about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With this information in hand, you and your therapist can collaborate to establish your individualized plan for treatment. This plan includes specific treatment goals, therapeutic interventions, skill development, frequency of appointments, and activity steps to achieve your goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the few forms of psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in over three hundred clinical trials for many different disorders. It is usually more focused on the present, more time-limited, and more oriented toward solving current problems. In addition, you will learn specific skills you can use for the rest of your life to identify distorted thinking, modify beliefs, relate to others in different ways, and change your behaviors in positive ways.