Important Aspects Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By Thomas Graham


Psychotherapy is an important aspect of treatment for many diseases whether physical or psychiatric. Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) is one of the most widely practiced forms of psychotherapy in New Jersey. It entails talking to a therapist in a structured manner over several sessions with the aim of gaining an insight regarding a certain illness and formulating solutions on how one can cope with it. The conditions managed using CBT include depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Sessions may be held once a week or one every fortnight. One session typically lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. The total number of sessions required in a particular case is determined by a number of factors that include the nature and severity of illness and the client response to treatment. Generally, five to twenty sessions are needed. The therapist will help you divide your problems into three categories that include thoughts, feelings and actions.

The success of this therapy is determined, to a large extent, by the existence of a healthy partnership between the client and the therapist. Clients who are actively involved in making decisions regarding their illness tend to have better outcomes than those that are not. The two should strive to find common ground for most of the major issues relating the condition or illness. Treatment options should be a product of consultations between the two.

It is important to bear in mind that results are not immediate. Many patients may even feel worse as they open up part of their emotional lives especially during the first few sessions. Sticking to the treatment plan whether one feels motivated or not is central to the success of treatment. Share these struggles with the therapist so that they can assist you devise ways of tolerating the challenges.

CBT may be done at individual or group level. It is an important component of couples and family therapy. When being used for groups the main prerequisite is that the members of the group share the same problems. CBT that is offered to groups tend to be more effective than the individualized approach. This is because the group members can share their experiences and learn coping skills from each other.

The client should be honest and as open as possible if they are to benefit from this treatment. They need to freely share their thoughts, experiences and emotions with their therapist to make it possible for solutions to be formulated. In case one feels that sharing some information is embarrassing or is likely to result into emotional pain they should let the therapist know. The therapist is obliged to maintain client confidentiality (except in very rare circumstances).

Even after successful therapy, symptoms may recur. Re-enrolling for CBT sessions and practicing the skills that have been acquired in the past are helpful if such is the case. Other forms of treatment may also be incorporated into the treatment plan to optimize on the results that are obtained through CBT. Such include the use of medications and other forms of talk treatments.

When you decide to seek the help of a CBT specialist, do your research to ensure that your chosen therapist is qualified. They should have the right education and licensing. Find out whether you can meet the costs involved to avoid dropping out before the treatment has been completed.




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