How CBT Works
As the name suggests, CBT focuses on the way people think (“cognitive”) and act (“behavioural”). The concept behind CBT is that our thoughts about a situation affect how we feel (emotionally and physically) and how we behave in that situation. As human beings, we give meaning to events that are happening around us. However, we often don’t realize that two people can give two very different meanings to the same event.
What is CBT?
Have you been troubled by anxiety? Not sure how to manage it effectively? Cognitive behavioural therapy may be the answer.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, also referred to as CBT, is an evidence-based psychological treatment proven to be effective through rigorous scientific research. This means that CBT treatment is not based on what people think might work, but what has been proven to work.
Evidence-based treatment can increase the chance that a problem is identified accurately and treated effectively. This can prevent the problem from being drawn out unnecessarily and decrease the chances of it coming back (i.e., relapse).
Research has shown that CBT is an effective treatment for a wide range of problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, chronic pain, disordered eating, low self-esteem, anger problems, addiction).
In particular, CBT has been shown to be effective in the management of anxiety and depression, and is as (if not more) effective as treatment with medication alone. Research also shows that people experiencing anxiety and depression are less likely to relapse when treated with CBT: They tend to get better and stay better!