“Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a relatively short term, focused approach to the treatment of many types of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems. The application of CBT varies according to the problem being addressed, but is essentially a collaborative and individualised program that helps individuals to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and learn or relearn healthier skills and habits. CBT has been practised widely for more than 30 years. It has been researched extensively, and has demonstrated effectiveness with a variety of emotional psychological and psychiatric difficulties. It is also continually evolving, and third wave CBT therapies such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy and others are increasingly being used for a variety of emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems.

THE BENEFITS OF CBT

  1. CBT has been extensively investigated in rigorous clinical trials and has empirical support.

  2. CBT is structured, goal oriented, and focuses on immediate difficulties as well as long term strategies and requires active involvement by the client.

  3. CBT is flexible, individualised, and can be adapted to a wide range of individuals and a variety of settings.

DOES CBT WORK?

CBT is one of the most established and researched psychological therapies for emotional, psychological and psychiatric dysfunction. For some problems, such as anxiety and depression, CBT is as effective as medication and can also enhance the effects of medication. The results of CBT are long-term, and you can keep using what you have learned in therapy to approach other problems in your life.

In particular, CBT has demonstrated effectiveness with individuals experiencing the following problems:

  • Generalised Anxiety

  • Panic

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Phobias

  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Depression

  • Eating Disorders

  • Brain Injury

  • Somatic Disorders

  • Sexual Dysfunction

  • Couples/Marital problems

  • Social Anxiety

  • Anger & Stress Management

  • Child Anxiety Disorders and Child Depression

  • Child Behaviour Problems

CBT is particularly useful in treating the problems listed above where you request a practical method of treatment for a specific problem rather than “wanting to understand yourself better”; are able to consider psychological causes of problems; and are able to be actively involved in the therapy process and will practice skills between sessions.

CBT has been extensively investigated in rigorous clinical trials and has empirical support. Broadly, CBT has evidenced the following outcomes:

  • CBT is compatible with a range other treatments that you might receive such as medication or supportive counselling.

  • Because the individual is actively involved in their treatment they are more likely to stick with it.

  • Because CBT is flexible and individualised, it can be adapted to a wide range of individuals and a variety of settings.

  • The client can keep using what they have learned in therapy to approach other problems in life.”

Reference: https://www.aacbt.org.au/what-is-cbt/

Learn about other therapies here…