Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on the theory that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact with each other in a cycle. When people feel negative emotions, they tend to think in very negative ways about themselves, others, or the world. When they are thinking this way, it often makes these difficult emotions even more intense. Difficult emotions may also relate to behaviors such as trying to ignore or suppress unwanted negative emotions, which keeps difficult emotions alive in the long run.
CBT focuses on helping you understand your symptoms and how your thoughts and behaviors may keep your mental health challenges going. CBT also involves working on thinking in more helpful and accurate ways, as well as changing how you act to improve your mood.
CBT typically includes strategies aimed at both your thoughts and behaviors, including:
- Learning about common symptoms of the problem you are experiencing, such as depression or anxiety
- Learning about how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings relate to one another
- Creating goals for treatment that are both realistic and meaningful to you
- Testing out predictions that you might have about how certain activities will impact your emotions
- Learning strategies to challenge unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts and improve your mood
- Practicing these strategies using worksheets outside of the session
If you are looking for CBT this time and would like to meet with one of our expert CBT providers, we would be glad to help you get connected to a provider who can help. Visit https://www.nelliehealth.com/info-call/ to get started with your journey today.