About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive and behavior therapies (CBT) are short-term treatments, often 8-20 sessions, that focus on teaching clients specific skills. CBT is different from other counseling or therapy approaches in that the focus is on how a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected and affect one another.
A common focus is to learn how particular thought patterns, such as all or nothing thinking, may cause anxiety and depression. Cognitive therapy suggests that negative emotions can be caused by biased or distorted thinking patterns. Mindfulness is a common skill that is used in CBT.
For example, when a person feels depressed, they may see only the negative events in life while minimizing positive events. Some people are overly self-critical and blame themselves for things they may not be responsible for. Cognitive therapy helps clients to develop a more realistic view of themselves and the world around us.