If you’ve been thinking of seeing a psychotherapist for one reason or another, it means, among other things, that you are well aware of the importance of mental health. While it has long been neglected, people are now becoming increasingly aware of the significance of mental well-being, as talked about on this page, and they are taking steps towards caring for their psychological health. It seems that you are, too, given that you’re here.
Deciding to go to therapy is just the first step in the process. What you have to do next is figure out what type of therapy you want to undergo, as well as choose the right professional for you. Cognitive behavioral therapy, more commonly known as CBT, is a rather popular option nowadays, and statistics show that it is highly effective in treating numerous types of conditions.
CBT is a form of talk therapy that can change the way you think and, thus, the way you behave. It breaks down the problems into smaller parts so as to help you overcome them, and it is based on the notion that our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions are all interconnected, meaning that negative thoughts can trap you in a negative cycle and cause problems. It is most commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, but it is certainly quite useful for other mental health issues as well.
Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Having heard of CBT, you must have become curious about it, wanting to find out how it is that you can benefit from it. By understanding the benefits of this type of therapy, and we’ll talk about those below, you’ll get a clearer idea of whether it is right for you. Different forms of therapy work for different people, which is why it is important to get familiar with CBT, for example, before deciding if it’s right for you.
1. It Treats Minor and Major Problems With Equal Success
The first thing to know about CBT is that it is versatile in terms of conditions it can treat. When you visit centrallondoncbt.co.uk or similar places, you’ll realize it can treat minor and major issues with equal success. Phobias, anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger, relationship issues, eating disorders, psychosis… Those are just some of the problems that fall within the scope of CBT, so it is pretty much suitable for any problem you may have.
2. It Helps Develop Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is one of those things that most people struggle with today. And while it is not a diagnosis, it can be a symptom or a consequence of something. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people develop and boost self-esteem, which will lead to them being more proactive while going through life and taking a stand for themselves when the situation calls for it.
3. It Helps Develop a More Rational Thought Process
Cognitive behavioral therapy is all about taking control of our thoughts. By questioning and replacing our negative thoughts over time, we can develop a more rational thought process overall. Cognitive distortions are common, and they can have a rather negative effect on our lives, and CBT helps get rid of them.
4. It Helps People Understand That Change Is Possible
Most people with mental health issues visit professionals, while at the same time convinced they can’t be helped. Convinced they can’t change. That, however, is quite a wrong assumption, as nobody’s life is predetermined that way, and change is possible. CBT will show you that change is possible, which could motivate you to make changes on your own in the future when something is not right in your life.
How to Choose Your Therapist
When you want to choose a therapist for yourself, regardless of the type of therapy you want to undergo, you’ll definitely need to be careful. Why? Because mental health is not to be toyed with, and you want to work with a professional that will know what they are doing.
Choosing your CBT therapist could take time. In fact, it should take time because choosing on the spur of the moment is not a good idea. Instead, you should check credentials, experience, and reputation before scheduling a visit. Plus, remember that you can always change the therapist if you wind up not liking them for one reason or another.