According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 43.8 million people in the United States experience mental illness in a given year.
Given those numbers, access to effective treatment is not only vital for patient well-being, but beneficial to society as a whole. One type of therapy especially effective in the treatment of these illnesses (as well as addressing situational stress) is a method called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT.
CBT is the most widely used evidence based intervention for improving mental health. The focus of CBT is on identifying and modifying negative thinking, behavior, and emotional patterns in order to solve current problems. Common thinking errors addressed through CBT include catastrophic thinking, all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and jumping to conclusions. Related behaviors treated through the practice include avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and compulsive behavior patterns. Treatment involves identifying, challenging, and redirecting these patterns in order to develop healthier responses to stressors.
In addition, CBT helps patients moderate and understand their conditions through skill-based methods such as progressive muscle relaxation, assertiveness training, journaling, mindfulness, stress management, and meditation. Because of this individualized approach, CBT can be used to treat the following conditions with great success:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Stress-related problems
- Anger control problems
- Sleep disorders
- Substance abuse disorders
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Overall, CBT is a flexible intervention offering carefully catered sessions designed to achieve your personal treatment goals and needs. When looking for a qualified therapist, be sure to ask if they are familiar with the use of CBT.
