What is CBT?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that draws on scientific foundations in learning psychology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology. The treatment has been developed and refined through decades of research and practical application, and is now used successfully for a variety of mental health conditions.
In CBT, the concept is behavior not just for what we do concretely – it also includes our bodily reactions, our interpretations of what is happening, our thought patterns and emotional reactions. All of this interacts and affects both the individual himself and the person's relationship with the environment.
One of the fundamental ideas of CBT is that each person is unique – we think, feel and react in different ways. To understand an individual’s needs, the therapist therefore conducts a careful behavioral analysis. This analysis helps to map how thoughts, feelings and actions interact, and what patterns may underlie and maintain the problems for which the person seeks help.
The focus of the therapy is on the present – on what is happening here and now in the person’s life – while building understanding of what has caused and perpetuated the difficulties. The treatment is structured and goal-oriented, and can be carried out both individually and in a group.
CBT has been shown to be effective for a range of conditions, including:
- Anxiety problems (e.g. panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety)
- Depression
- Stress and exhaustion
- Addiction issues
- Eating disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Crisis reactions and life changes
The goal is to give the individual concrete tools to better understand themselves, change unhelpful behaviors and strengthen the ability to handle life's challenges.