Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and feelings. The method is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings and actions are connected to each other.
In this article you can read more about how it is done.
Cognitive therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and feelings. The methods are based on ideas about how our thoughts, feelings and actions are linked to each other. Changing thoughts can therefore lead to changes in feelings and actions, and to an improvement in mental health.
Psychologists who work with cognitive therapy often use techniques such as asking questions, providing encouragement and guidance, and helping clients identify negative thoughts and feelings. They then work with clients to develop new ways of thinking that can help them to a better situation.
One direction within cognitive therapy is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). You can read more about the ACT here.
Cognitive therapy differs from other professional approaches in that the method has a strong focus on the mental processes that control our mood and behaviour. It emphasizes the individual perspective and aims to identify the thoughts believed to lie behind the behavior patterns. In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy has a more structured format where there are clear objectives for the treatment.
The form of therapy is suitable for many types of problems, including anxiety, depression, stress-related problems, personality disorders and relationship problems. Examples of cognitive therapy include:
• To learn strategies to cope with stressful situations
• Develop new coping strategies
• Changing negative thought patterns
• Development of self-confidence
• To learn new communication techniques
Mental health problems are often the result of how we interpret a situation, which in turn affects how we feel about it, and this in turn affects how we act. In therapy, together we can create an awareness of these processes so that you learn to sort your thoughts in a better way, and perhaps challenge your basic thoughts about yourself and the world around you. We do this by using understanding models, thought experiments and other tools.
For me, cognitive therapy is about elucidating for patients how their typical thought and behavior patterns are connected with and mutually influence the emotions they feel. In my experience, it is useful for many patients to gain insight into how different mental states such as thoughts and feelings are connected, and often confirm each other.
