What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Do?

Have you ever felt worried or scared about something, even when there's no real danger? Or maybe you've had thoughts that just won't go away, no matter how hard you try to push them out of your mind. Well, you're not alone! Many people struggle with feelings like these, which can be really difficult to deal with.

It is important to know that most of the time, these feelings of unknown fear are due to underlying medical conditions or mental disorders. Therefore, seeking professional medical guidance can result in betterment.

In anxiety counseling, therapists use various methods, medications (if required) and cognitive Behavioral Therapy. So, what actually is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and what does it do to help individuals suffering from mental disorders? Let’s find out.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

CBT is a type of therapy that was first developed in the 1960s by a psychologist named Dr. Aaron Beck. He noticed that the way people think about things can affect how they feel and behave. So, CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to help people feel better.

Over time, CBT has been used to help people with all kinds of anxiety disorders, like phobias (fear of specific things), social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even depression. It's become a really popular and effective way to help people manage their thoughts and feelings.

How Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work?

In CBT, you work closely with a therapist to identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that might be causing you to feel anxious or worried. Your therapist will help you recognize these thoughts and learn ways to challenge them with more positive and realistic thinking.

For example, let's say you're really afraid of dogs because you think they're all dangerous and will bite you. Your therapist might help you understand that not all dogs are dangerous and teach you ways to cope with your fear instead of avoiding dogs altogether.

You'll also learn different techniques to manage your emotions and behaviors. This might include things like deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, or gradual exposure to the things you're afraid of (like being around dogs in a safe environment). This method is also known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP Therapy).

Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

There are lots of great benefits to CBT! Here are just a few:

• CBT helps you understand your thoughts and feelings better and in a logical way.
• You learn practical skills to manage your anxiety and worries.
• It can help you face your fears in a safe and supportive way.
• You'll gain more confidence and feel better about yourself.
• The skills you learn can help you in all areas of your life, not just with anxiety.

CBT can be really helpful for people of all ages, from kids to adults. And the best part is that

it doesn't involve any special medicine or treatments – it's all about learning new ways to think and behave.

Remember, it's normal to feel anxious or worried sometimes, but if those feelings start to interfere with your daily life, it's okay to ask for help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can teach you how to manage those tough emotions and live a happier, more confident life.