Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers each patient a unique structure that fits precisely what he or she needs. Common mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and acute stress are all often treated with CBT. More so, the stuck points discovered in a patient’s journey through CBT offer tangible and recognizable cues about how our conscious reacts to the circumstances in front of us by uncovering our relationship between thoughts, behaviors, and the events surrounding them.
How Does CBT Fit Your Needs?
CBT needs to be recommended and provided by a mental health professional. Because CBT looks different from one patient to the next, the success rate is heavily dependent on a healthy relationship between all participating parties.
For example, CBT for adults will start with a broad focus and whittle it’s way down to a clear picture for the patient to grasp. Children, however, may stay ‘broad’ throughout the therapy. While these two examples are not 100% mutually exclusive, as noted in Healthline, children tend towards play therapy, role-playing scenarios, or arts and crafts (instead of written out homework).
Regardless of age, the avenue you (as the parent or the patient) and your mental health provider decide on can be tailored to fit the needs of most circumstances within the limitations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Most absolute or irrational belief systems can be broken down and restructured into a healthier mindset within CBT.
What is CBT Not Good For?
First off, no one should consider self-diagnosing, particularly regarding mental health. Your therapist will help you determine the best forms of treatment; however, there are go-to’s CBT may not be used for.
According to A Therapist’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a few mental health behaviors not compatible with CBT. These include, but are not limited to, phobias, alcohol dependence, paranoid personality disorder, Chronic PTSD, some circumstances around divorce, and Somatoform Disorder. However, this conversation will take place between you and your mental health provider, as they will be able to fully explain why CBT is right or wrong for you or your child.
What Questions Should You be Asking?
The concepts behind CBT can be overwhelming while researching on your own, and there are questions you can ask your provider to better arm yourself or your child before beginning the treatment.
- Does my mental health concern fall within the limits of CBT?
- Does the family unit support my child in receiving CBT?
- How would this impact my/our day-to-day life?
- What side effects can CBT have, or will I get worse before I get better?
- What are some examples of how my journey through CBT might look like?
- Is it a prescribed amount of time? How long could it take to start seeing results?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is not for all mental health concerns, but it could be right for you or your child. Be sure to arm yourself with as much information as possible and bring in all your questions to ask a professional. Take a moment to be proud of yourself for taking such an essential step towards a healthier mindset and lifestyle.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.