Friday, May 6, 2016

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Results In Reaching Goals

By Stephen Schmidt


The type of therapy known as cognitive behavioral, or CBT, is a practical form of short term counseling. It focuses on reaching goals by changing patterns of thinking. The beliefs that a person holds as absolute truth are not necessarily factual. These inaccurate beliefs may be preventing the patient from viewing the truth as it really is. This successful method, cognitive behavioral therapy, is practiced in New Jersey and other places.

CBT is explained as a short-term psychotherapy. It identifies the problem and determines how to change it. People have inaccurate beliefs and do not realize that by changing those beliefs, they can overcome the problem.

Immediate recognition of what needs changing is the single factor that makes it short term. A goal is set and achieved in a pre-planned number of sessions. If the patient can release the belief that he will not be successful at anything, he can replace it with a new and positive belief. A new positive belief will free him to achieve success.

A mental health counselor will identify the problem. If it is apprehension about applying and interviewing for a job, the fears and inaccurate beliefs will be approached and dispelled. He will learn new beliefs. He will believe he is indeed capable of doing both and getting the job.

No time is wasted figuring out why she has this negative belief. Instead, time and effort are spent changing it to a positive one. CBT does not focus on past events. It deals with what is wrong in the present and how to make it right.

A fear of dogs is one example. Unless a dog has bitten them, most people love dogs. If a patient has to choose between giving up a partner or tolerating his dog, she may prefer to accept the dog. Although she is unlikely to adore the canine buddy, she can learn to dispel the fear and live with the dog.

Counseling may begin by talking about dogs and focusing on why people love their pets. Looking at pictures of all the breeds may be the next step. She may be assigned the homework of driving to a dog park, sitting in her car and watching the interaction of owners with their dogs and dogs to each other.

The next assignment may be to walk down the street and pass a dog being walked on a leash. She may be advised not to look into the dogs eyes as some dogs feel that as a threat. Finally, she might feel able to visit a friend who owns a small dog and pet it.

Growing progressively more able to stroke their fur is an integral part of her CBT therapy. A visit to a humane society is the next step. If she cannot grow to love dogs, she may be able to empathize with their unhappiness at not having homes. Now she is able to be close to many dogs at one time.

She may achieve the goal of being able to accept her partners dog. Perhaps one day she will grow to like his furry friend. She will not give up a good relationship because he is unwilling to give up his beloved dog.




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