Understanding How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a therapeutic practice which theorizes that you can solve psychological problems through positive cognitive changes. That is, anxiety, addictions and other mental problems can be solved through making challenging existing thought patterns. CBT focuses on recognizing and stopping negative thoughts and emotions in order to change feelings and reactive actions. In a nutshell, CBT stops negative cognitive cycles.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can change and manage how a person reacts to situations. The following example explains how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works. Someone who loses their job might consider themselves a failure and become frustrated and hopeless. Therefore, they might avoid going out, looking for a new job, and interacting with others. CBT analyzes emotional reactions and cognitive thought patterns, and replaces them with optimistic thoughts and accompanying behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would help the person who lost their job understand that losing a job is normal. CBT would also help the person recognize cognitive or situational triggers that could result in stress and negative emotions and activities.

What Techniques Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Use?

Specifically, CBT uses a tool called ‘ABC.’ The Activating event, or A, is anything that causes a negative psychological reaction. The Belief, or B, is the illogical thought patterns that follow. The Consequence, or C, is the result of the negative thoughts, which often takes the form of upset emotions, irrational behavior, depression, and interpersonal conflicts. For example, the person who lost their job would recognize that innocent comments about their employment status may trigger a reaction. They would recognize that the resulting negative self-talk and self-blame are counterproductive. They would then recognize the consequences of this would be anger, anxiety, and unhelpful behaviors. This is how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works to change a patient’s thought patterns and the way they process different issues.

A person must learn new ways of dealing with stress, sadness, and other normal daily emotions in order to completely overcome substance abuse and continue living a drug-free lifestyle.