Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach to treatment which helps a client by focusing on changing the way he or she thinks and acts. During the sessions, a client is encouraged to talk about how he or she views him or herself, other people, and the world at large. The client will also be encouraged to explore how actions affect how he or she thinks and feels.
The goal of CBT is to help a client change the way he or she thinks, which is the “cognitive” part of the equation. Making positive changes to action is the “behavior” component.
This type of therapy can be helpful for clients who are dealing with drug abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. It is also commonly used for clients who want help with eating disorders.
Unlike other approaches to treatment, such as psychotherapy, CBT concentrates on the issues and concerns that a client is facing right now instead of delving deeply into his or her past. Instead, CBT looks for strategies a client can use immediately to improve his or her outlook on a daily basis.
The goal of CBT is not to remove the problems or issues which a client is facing, but rather to help him or her manage them in a better way. This treatment approach is especially effective for clients who are living with anxiety and depression, and it can be used in conjunction with medications prescribed to treat these conditions.