CBT is a present-focused and time limited therapeutic approach to helping individuals struggling with a variety of issues, including anxiety and depression. At its core, CBT assumes that most people’s emotional issues stem from problematic patterns in their thinking and/or behavior. Because of this assumption, the majority of focus in CBT is placed on assisting people monitor, evaluate, and modify their thought and behavioral patterns, resulting in changes to their emotions and feelings. CBT has the following qualities:
- present-focused: unlike some other forms of therapy, the focus of CBT is on the here/now (rather than the distant past).
- short-term: although the number of sessions will vary for each individual, CBT can be as short as 12-14 sessions.
- structured: each session will usually focus on an agreed-upon set of topics or goals.
- collaborative: you and your therapist will work together to determine the goals of therapy, to set the weekly agenda, and to decide what’s working for you and what’s not.
- homework: weekly assignments are typically assigned for you to complete between sessions. These exercises provide you with a chance to practice skills discussed in session in the real world.
- assessment: your therapist will have you complete a number of assessments during the course of therapy, usually at the beginning and end but also likely at some point in between. These assessments are used to measure and track progress throughout your treatment.
If CBT seems right for you, contact me directly here.
Mark Celano, Ph.D. 