Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the exploration and challenge of the irrational thoughts and beliefs that fuel our behavior. This therapy works with the client to expose and analyze problem behavior and identify ways to change the thoughts to a more positive orientation. The idea is to learn a new response based on the new information from the new thought. Thoughts and beliefs and their subsequent responses have an impact on functioning, either positive or negative. For instance, if one believes the sky is falling or going to fall; then good luck getting them to come out of the house.
Thoughts have a dynamic relationship with emotions. A thought brings about an emotion and emotion brings about another thought which can increase in intensity. It is at the cognitive juncture that therapy is able to identify the emotion, figure out what function it serves to the person’s wellbeing and try to find a different way of viewing the problem thought. Beliefs play a part as well and can mold your responses to particular events or people. If you believe all people are not nice, then you may not trust many people. Faulty beliefs can affect the way you see the world. Examination of a person’s belief system can assist in changing thoughts to a more positive and life affirming way of seeing the world. |
Reactions are our response to our thoughts and beliefs. It is essential to be able to look at one’s own behavior in an objective (shame-free) manner in order to be able to make changes. If we understand why we have the belief we can decide if it is rational or not, based on our world in the here and now. This therapy is particularly helpful to those who want to change their behavior.
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