Is CBT the right therapy for me?

If you’re asking, “Is CBT the right therapy for me?”, you’ll want to know what it is and how it works. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a common approach used by therapists as it is a widely recognised and highly effective modality to treat a range of mental health issues. Identifying and challenging negative thoughts before changing behaviours is key to this therapy.
The foundation of CBT is that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are linked. Therefore, by identifying automatic negative thoughts, then challenging and examining them for accuracy, the person can choose how they would like to behave. Developed by Aaron T Beck in the 1960’s at the University of Pennsylvania, CBT rests on the idea that people can’t change their behaviour without being able to recognise the thought patterns that support the behaviour.
Seeing a negative thought for what it is, gives the person the agency to discard it, and not follow through on thoughts which were previously considered reasonable. Through small, incremental steps, people can reshape their responses to stressors and triggers.
Learning how to apply CBT doesn’t take very long, making it a good choice as a therapy for immediate concerns. Clients are empowered to assess their own thoughts and behaviours and make changes as they see fit. This means that they are able to take control of their mental health.
Still asking, “Is CBT the right therapy for me?”. If you’re looking to break unhelpful patterns of thought and consequent actions, it could be a useful method to apply. Ask your counsellor for more specific guidance that is relevant to your situation so that you can make an informed decision.