Important Aspects Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By Thomas Graham


Psychotherapy is an important aspect of treatment for many diseases whether physical or psychiatric. Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) is one of the most widely practiced forms of psychotherapy in New Jersey. It entails talking to a therapist in a structured manner over several sessions with the aim of gaining an insight regarding a certain illness and formulating solutions on how one can cope with it. The conditions managed using CBT include depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Sessions are typically held once every week or every two weeks with each lasting thirty minutes to one hour. The total number of sessions required varies depending on the type and severity of the illness as well as the response that is shown by the client. The therapy is based on dividing problems into three major groups: thoughts, emotions and actions. Harmful thoughts and emotions are identified and dropped.

To be effective, the treatment needs to be approached as a partnership. Clients who actively participate in the sessions have better outcomes than those who do not. The client and the therapist should strive to agree on the major issues regarding their illness and its treatment. Goals should be set by the two and regular assessment done to determine progress.

The results of CBT are not instant. A lot of patience and hard work are required before any meaningful change is seen. A significant number of clients may experience worsening symptoms as they attempt to confront their illness. This should by no means discourage them from sticking to the treatment plan. Sharing these struggles with their psychotherapist may help create solutions on how to deal with them.

CBT is effective for conditions that affect individual clients as well as groups. Couples and family therapy are examples of treatments that have greatly benefited from the therapy. Other forms of groups may similarly benefit as long as they have similar problems. One of the main advantages of offering the therapy to a group is the fact that group members tend to share their experiences and coping skills.

The client should be honest and as open as possible if they are to benefit from this treatment. They need to freely share their thoughts, experiences and emotions with their therapist to make it possible for solutions to be formulated. In case one feels that sharing some information is embarrassing or is likely to result into emotional pain they should let the therapist know. The therapist is obliged to maintain client confidentiality (except in very rare circumstances).

Even after successful therapy, symptoms may recur. Re-enrolling for CBT sessions and practicing the skills that have been acquired in the past are helpful if such is the case. Other forms of treatment may also be incorporated into the treatment plan to optimize on the results that are obtained through CBT. Such include the use of medications and other forms of talk treatments.

The decision to seek CBT may be made by your primary doctor or by yourself. Regardless of the case, you should ensure that the therapist is qualified (has the right education and licensing). Find out the costs involved in advance and whether or not this is part of your health cover. This will help you avoid dropping out of treatment due to financial constraints.




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