what is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Answer 1

Here is the definition from American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language:

cog·ni·tive-be·hav·ior·al therapy

NOUN:

A highly structured psychotherapeutic method used to alter distorted attitudes and problem behavior by identifying and replacing negative inaccurate thoughts and changing the rewards for behaviors.

Terry

Answer 2

In cognitive behaviour therapy, the emphasis is on what you do today, not what happened in the past.
You discuss a problem that you have with a therapist.
A range of possible behaviours and reactions to given situations are described, and you pick one that feels appropriate or familiar.
A range of alternative responses is discussed, so that you can change your own behaviour.
It works because it helps you to realise that you're not alone, that lots of people have a similar problem. You get to take responsibility for your present behaviour and design your own treatment. That means that instead of people saying 'Why don't you try this', you get to choose something that sounds realistic and that you know you can manage.
You tackle things bit by bit and gain more confidence. Plus it is a practical, problem solving therapy, not a listening therapy.

Analysing language and the way that it affects emotion is called 'neural linguistic programming.' And cognitive behaviour therapists are qualified psychiatrists, not people with a diploma off the internet.

Answer 3

The above answers are all excellent answers. I just wanted to add that different disorders are treated using CBT in different ways. For example, the most successful CBT way to treat OCD is to use what is called exposure and response prevention (ERP). For example, if a person feels that their hands are dirty and feels anxiety over this, the therapy would be to NOT wash their hands. They will become desensitized to the anxiety. Thus, the behavioral component of CBT is emphasized in ERP therapy for OCD.

With depression on the other hand, the cognitive aspect (changing the way one thinks and sees certain situations is emphasized.

Answer 4

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) describes a number of therapies that all have a similar approach to solving problems, which can range from sleeping difficulties or relationship problems, to drug and alcohol abuse or anxiety and depression. CBT works by changing people's attitudes and their behaviour. The therapies focus on the thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes that we hold (our cognitive processes) and how this relates to the way we behave, as a way of dealing with emotional problems.

Answer 5

Cognitive therapy focuses on the language a person uses to describe themselves and their life situation. Each word in the English language has at least one meaning and many have two or more. The logic behind language is looked at in great depth.

Answer 6

cognitive behavioural therapy is hard work.
It is basically looking at the way you do or react to something for example. I ask my son to do the dishes when I go out and he forgets when I get back in my mind it is because he doesn't respect me, care about me, realise how much I do or another 20 negative emotions that go through my head. The fact he just was too interested playing his video game or watching telly and forgot doesn't cross my mind.
It is learning to step back and not reacting without thinking why you are reacting the way you are.

Answer 7

Cognitive therapy suggests that OCD results when an individual misinterprets intrusive thoughts or urges as a sign that not only will harm occur, but that they may be responsible for it through what they do or what they fail to do. Therapy seeks to help the individual understand that their problem is one of anxiety rather than danger and to react accordingly.

http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/ocdaction/index.asp?id=262

Answer 8

It is a way of changing negative thoughts for more positive ones and then these new thoughts becoming automatic thoughts when put in stressful situations. This example is when it's used for mood or anxiety disorders, which is it's most common use. It also looks at behaviours and reactions. For a good self-help CBT book, try Mind Over Mood - highly recommended.

Answer 9

Its psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how a person feels and what they do. Anyhting realated to cognitive behavior is the brain , thinking process.

Answer 10

Basically you have learned to deal with certain situations in a particular way and this is stuck in your brain. Just say you were getting divorced and you were fighting or crying all the time, this - they say- is what your brain learned as a mechanism to deal with this. the therapy would teach youto deal with it in a better way...