Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Therapy That Works

Ernest Schmidt, LCSW

Do you struggle from the “common colds” of mental health— depression, anxiety, worry, sadness, or unexplained fatigue? Have you tried traditional counseling or therapy, but did not improve to your satisfaction? If so, consider using cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of therapy that is proven to help these problems quickly and without the side effects of medication.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidenced-based psychotherapy often used to treat depression and anxiety. In brief, CBT is a proven type of talk therapy that focuses on helping you change your behavior and thoughts to positively affect your mental health. CBT is not like the traditional form of psychotherapy, which tends to be free flowing and can lead to endless talking with no action. Instead, CBT is focused, structured, goal oriented, and requires you to put forth effort, all in a supportive environment. This form of therapy uses therapy homework, teaching and practicing of skills, and measuring/monitoring of symptoms.

Who Can Benefit from CBT?

CBT is considered the treatment of choice for anyone who struggles with anxiety and/or depression, but without the side effects of medications. Anxiety in particular is especially treatable with CBT. Social nervousness, panic attacks, general day-to-day worry, and even obsessive compulsive disorder all respond exceptionally well with this specialized form of therapy.

What Are the Benefits of CBT?

It works quickly: With its practical emphasis on actions and exercises you can do right now, CBT brings relief much faster than traditional psychotherapy. Without proper therapy, you can struggle for years with no relief.

It is effective: In treating anxiety and depression, CBT is as effective or in many cases more effective than medication, considering therapy’s lower relapse rates and absence of side effects. Once you try it you will likely wish you had known about it sooner.

It offers empathy, support, and empowerment: Very often when you struggle with symptoms of anxiety or depression you are overcome with guilt, shame, and other difficult emotions. You need time with a professional who will listen to you and address your concerns. Experienced and qualified CBT therapists balance their meetings to provide the right amount of personal support, teaching, and implementation of skills. CBT empowers you by teaching skills you can use to support yourself even when relapses occur. You learn that there is a way out and your emotional struggles can be overcome.