Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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According to author Kendra Cherry, “professional counseling is an application of mental health, psychological or development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic intervention strategies, that address wellness, personal growth, or career development” (Cherry - Paraphrase). Many counselors specialize in specific forms of therapy. Generally, counselors who focus on specific types of counseling methods usually require advanced knowledge in the specific field. Counseling can be described as guidance of an individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history information, using various techniques of the personal interview and testing interests as well as aptitudes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used methods for psychotherapeutic treatment.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients to understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat many different types of disorders. Some of the common disorders that can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy are depression, phobias, anxiety as well as addictions. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients deal with a specific problem. During treatment, a patient will potentially learn how to identify destructive behavior within them selves. Long term, a patient will learn how to change the thought patterns that lead to the destructive behavior.

There are some basic concepts to cognitive behavioral therapy. One concept behind cognitive behavioral therapy is that a person’s thoughts and feelings have a significant effect on one’s behavior. For instance, if a person thinks a lot about plane crashes, train wrecks or car accidents, then the person may av...

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...structured treatment combining elements of cognitive and behavioral therapy approaches used to change a person’s thought processes and behaviors for the better. With time and practice, cognitive behavioral therapy can create a paradigm shift of thinking in a person’s mind as well as a person’s actions and behaviors.

Works Cited

British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies. "What is CBT?" 01 January 2005. babcp.com. Electronic PDF. 16 December 2011.

Cherry, Kendra. About.com Psychology: Cognitive Behavior Therapy - What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy? 02 August 2010. Electronic. 15 December 2011.

Dobson, Keith S and David J A Dozois. "Historical and Philosophical Bases of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies." Dobson, Keith S. Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies; Second Edition. New York: Guilford Press, 2001. 3-39. ISBN 1-57230-6011-7.

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