Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)


Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The theory holds that each has powerful influence on the other two, and uses thought as the point of intervention.  By exploring and then altering thoughts, people can improve their feelings and alter their behaviors. 


For example, a person who is depressed may have the thought, "I am worthless.” While this person likely believes the foregoing statement reflects ultimate truth, the therapist encourages the client to challenge this truth. This involves viewing such negative statements as hypotheses rather than facts, and then testing the hypotheses by running experiments.


CBT is problem-focused, goal-directed and an active intervention that often requires clients to do homework, such as take notes of their automatic thoughts, and practice outside of sessions. 

 

Source: http://www.nami.org/factsheets...