COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy



Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) holds a distinctive status in the field of mental health. This treatment involves behavioral modeling by helping patients remodel their cognitive approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective for the treatments of several psychological diseases. Moreover, the cognitive-behavioral therapy is popular among the mental healthcare profession because of its relatively briefer duration, and because it is well received by individuals. It is particularly helpful in substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation in both real world and clinical settings. Thus, the cognitive-behavioral therapy offers a whole new scope of patients' treatment for substance abuse counselors.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

Introduction

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has attracted an increased level of interest from health care professionals, patients and their families. The reason being that in the recent past there has been an increase in the occurrence rates of psychological disorders; as a result, the awareness regarding the possible treatments has increased. It is common knowledge that preservation of mental health is vital for a person to lead a healthy life. Psychological disorders have a negative impact on the quality of life of the affected and their families. Also, with the high prevalence of mental disorders like depression, anxiety, and alcoholism the healthcare industry resorts to cognitive-behavioral therapy because the patients always respond well to it. Additionally, the cognitive-behavioral therapy is an efficient and cost-effective treatment (Lowinson, et al., 2004).

What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a treatment for psychological processes that affect how we think, feel, and behave. Usually, the cognitive-behavioral therapy is of a short duration and has a positive impact on the patient in the period of up to 20 sessions. The cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the patients' current problems and is a structured style of intervention. This treatment has been developed through extensive research in the field of intervention in psychological disorders (Somers, et al., 2007).

Several studies have found out that cognitive-behavioral therapy is very effective for treatment of various common psychological disorders. Therefore, in the circles of today's psychiatrists and psychologists, cognitive-behavioral therapy has become the treatment of choice. Unlike other modes of psychological treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy is not a single intervention and involves a number of treatments and practices (Somers, et al., 2007). The cognitive-behavioral therapy involves different aspects of psychological treatments, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral treatment.

All the techniques and approaches used in cognitive-behavioral therapy are practically applied. These techniques or approaches are put into practice after they have been proven effective through conducting behavioral experiments designed to help patients overcome their mental disorders (Somers, et al., 2007). The cognitive-behavioral therapy is one treatment that can well cater to multiple and complex needs of people suffering from psychological disorders.

The clinical psychologists and behavior counselors who use cognitive-behavioral therapy lay a great emphasis on the conscious information processing and the resultant thoughts and behaviors of patients to treat their psychological disorders. The cognitive-behavioral therapists try to uncover the patient's fundamental assumptions behind his behaviors, which lead to him becoming disposed to behavioral deviations and mental imbalances (Somers, et ...