Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on the premise that how we think affects our feelings. Basically, it is not the events of the past, or people we have known, but it is how our thoughts about ourselves cause our feelings and behaviors. The premise states that even if a particular situation does not change, we can change the way we react to it.
CBT is solution focused and briefer than other forms of treatment, but it does require a collaborative effort between therapist and client. There may be homework assignments for the client and it is through these assignments that clients practice and become accustomed to their new thoughts and feelings. We all have problems, but why do some people tend to “overreact” or always seem to think the world is against them? CBT offers a way to calmly look at our personal problems, but through the calming influence of the therapy, we tend to be in a position to make more rational and more intelligent choices.
CBT may involve many questions asked by the therapist to challenge the client’s automatic thoughts. The therapist can also teach the client to use these questions to challenge perceptions and feelings long after therapy ends.