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Are you considering seeking help from a cognitive behavioral therapist for yourself or a loved one? If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders and challenges, finding a qualified local CBT expert can be highly beneficial. In our guide, we will explain the advantages of cognitive behavioral therapy, describe the conditions it can treat, and offer valuable tips on selecting the best therapist for your needs.
CBT is a well-known and widely used type of talk therapy that can help people recognize negative thought patterns and change their behavior to improve their mental health and lifestyle. Whether you are new to therapy or have worked with mental health professionals in the past, giving cognitive behavioral therapy a try may be a great idea.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, may be defined as a special form of psychotherapy that targets a person’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes and examines the connection between cognition, emotions, and behavior. A therapist who practices CBT will talk to their patient to figure out what thought patterns are harmful to the well-being of the individual, especially when these thoughts are not rational, and develop a short-term or long-term plan to adjust the thinking of the patient.
While originally this type of therapy was created to help people who suffered from depression, nowadays, CBT is used to treat a wide range of mental health disorders and concerns. Patients are taught various skills they can apply in their day-to-day life to cope with symptoms of mental health conditions and react to stressful situations in a calm and collected manner.
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Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Why is CBT good for a person’s mental health? Here are a few reasons to give this therapy a chance:
Support Your Self-Esteem
People who struggle with low self-confidence and poor self-image may feel stuck, unable to fulfill their potential—this is often due to negative thoughts in their heads. A CBT therapist will assist you in identifying these harmful thoughts and replacing them with positive reminders to boost your self-esteem.
Overcome Negative Thinking
It is not unusual to have negative thoughts, especially when you are going through a rough patch in your life, yet this pessimism can be detrimental to your health. Through CBT, you will be able to understand when your thinking is not accurate or constructive and slowly move toward a more optimistic mindset.
Improve Your Lifestyle
CBT will equip you with the skills you need to manage your mental health—for instance, you will learn breathing techniques to cope with stress, be able to visualize success in your personal and professional endeavors, and stick to the goals you set for yourself. When you change the way you think, you will feel the benefits of this adjustment in your life.
What Conditions Can CBT Treat
Therapists have successfully implemented CBT to treat the following disorders:
Anxiety Disorders
There are many types of anxiety disorders—phobias, social anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, etc. If you suffer from anxiety, your therapist may suggest CBT to personalize your treatment, get to the bottom of the issue, and understand what triggers your anxiety.
Depression
Therapy is often recommended to a person who has been diagnosed with depression—this mental health disorder negatively affects a person’s emotions and behavior, leading to numerous problems in their personal and professional life. CBT was created to treat depression—it can be very effective, especially when combined with medication.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
CBT is one of the talk therapies that can help a person who suffers from PTSD. If you or someone you know has developed this disorder after going through or witnessing a traumatic event, talk to a mental health specialist—a few sessions of CBT may do wonders to help the individual cope with the trauma.
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How to Choose a CBT Therapist
Follow these suggestions to find the best therapist for your circumstances:
Look for Credentials
It is crucial to make sure the therapist you are considering is properly educated and licensed to practice therapy. In most states, a therapist must have at least a master’s degree and go through a licensing process before they are legally allowed to treat patients.
Search for Experience
If you are dealing with a specific disorder, you may want to narrow down your search to find a therapist who has treated this issue in the past. An experienced therapist will be able to customize your treatment and give you valuable advice based on their past work.
Schedule a Session
You will not be able to determine whether the therapist is right for you until you meet them face-to-face. Book an initial appointment to meet the therapist, tell them about your issues, and see if you are comfortable opening up to them—the first session will give you a better idea of what you are looking for.
Does Your Child Need CBT
CBT is not limited to adults—this therapy can be beneficial for a minor as well. Here are a few reasons to bring your child to a CBT therapist:
Help the Child Deal With Their EmotionsIt can be difficult for a kid to understand and express their feelings, especially when they do not have the right words to communicate their emotions. A therapist will teach the child to talk about their feelings and open up to their parents and peers.
Assist the Minor in Handling Stress
Whether your child is struggling at school or there are issues at home that make them feel uneasy, it is important to equip the child with coping mechanisms they can rely on. A CBT therapist will customize the treatment for the child and give them skills they can apply in their daily life.
Boost the Kid’s Self-Confidence
Is your child’s low self-esteem affecting their life? If you have noticed your kid is reluctant to participate in extracurricular activities or make friends, it may be good to bring them to a therapist and address this issue. A few sessions of CBT may do wonders for the child’s confidence.
FAQs
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Its goal is to determine which thought patterns of the person are harmful and unrealistic and adjust the thinking of the individual to improve their life.
What Are the Benefits of CBT?
CBT can help a person struggling with negative thoughts recognize and address harmful ideas and replace them with positive thinking. This therapy is beneficial for self-esteem—it will also equip the individual with skills to manage their mental health.
What Mental Health Conditions Can Be Treated With CBT?
Therapists use CBT to treat disorders and phobias. Many disorders can be successfully addressed with CBT—anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, insomnia, etc.
How Effective Is CBT?
Numerous studies have shown that CBT is an effective way to treat mental health disorders—patients who have tried this therapy have praised its benefits. It is believed that CBT is 50-75% effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Should My Child Go to a CBT Therapist?
Children can benefit from CBT just like adults. Bringing your child to a session or two may be a good idea—the therapist will teach your kid to express their emotions, cope with stress in their life, and build their self-confidence.
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Embrace CBT for Better Mental Health
We hope our guide was able to explain the importance of CBT and its benefits Whether you or your child are struggling with a mental health disorder, or you simply want to give talk therapy a try to see its advantages for your life, booking a session with a CBT therapist is always a good idea It can be a powerful tool that will change the way you think and improve your lifestyle.
If you are looking for a qualified cognitive behavioral therapist, do not hesitate to contact My Teen Mental Health. Our experienced team will be able to help you and your family. Give us a call to discuss your circumstances and schedule.
