Cognitive therapy is a specified form of psychotherapy that is based on the notion of the interdependence of human thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It also means that some mental illnesses and psychological problems derive from wrong thinking and reasoning as well as stereotypes that can change people’s perception of the world and hurt them. Such kind of treatment helps to cure a wide range of mental illnesses, including depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders. Speaking of cognitive therapy in biblical content, this method of treatment can be effectively enclosed in the Christian world picture. There is a similarity between the biblical understanding of finding a balance between mental and action orientation and the postulates of cognitive-behavioral therapy. That is why cognitive therapy is believed to be the most appropriate kind of psychotherapy for the Christian.
The first site starts with the definition of cognitive therapy which describes it as a kind of treatment during which patients learn to substitute destructive thought patterns with good and positive ones. Further, the types of cognitive behavior therapy are mentioned, and they include dialectical behavior therapy, multimodal therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy as well (Cherry). According to the site, a range of conditions in which cognitive therapy is used includes addictions, bipolar disorder, depression, personality disorders, and stress problems (Cherry). Among the mentioned impacts of this therapy, there are short-term treatment, specific orientation, raising awareness of the patient’s issue, overcoming maladaptive behavior. Moreover, this site includes a description of strategies used during cognitive therapy and possible mistakes made in the process of treatment. Such pitfalls contain difficulties in changing and the unwillingness of a patient to cure.
The second site begins with the definition of this method of treatment as well (“What is cognitive therapy?”). Here cognitive therapy is described as rather momentary and concentrated psychotherapy that is useful while treating such illnesses and psychological problems as marital conflict, substance abuse, dependence, personality problems (“What is cognitive therapy?”). It is emphasized that this method of therapy provides a patient with efficient self-help abilities that he acquires through the completion of homework assignments. Further, the focus is placed on the description of various elements of cognitive therapy. These elements include initial assessment, reading something, periodic self-evaluation, a definite plan of treatment, and setting agenda for each session with a psychotherapist.
The reasons for choosing cognitive therapy are indicated on this site, one of which is the fact that this kind of treatment works effectively (“What is cognitive therapy?”). Another reason for selecting cognitive therapy is its foundation in a great deal of scientific research. Moreover, this method of psychotherapy is thought to be surpassing other kinds of treatment as it teaches patients self-care, which significantly reduces the risk of relapse. The issue of the importance of human emotions is raised here as well. It is highlighted that emotions are of vital importance for any human being, and cognitive therapy can help people understand and respect their emotional experiences as well as detect and analyze emotions now. What is also noted on this website is the significance of medication. Medication may be essential in treating such illnesses as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (“What is cognitive therapy?”). At the same time, the use of drugs might be optional in treating other mental and psychological problems.
The third website starts with an overview of the topic where cognitive therapy is described as a talking treatment where a patient’s condition can be improved by changing the way he thinks (“Cognitive behavioral therapy”). It is further described how this therapy works by showing people the way to transform their mindset and make themselves feel better. Cognitive treatment is said to deal with such illnesses as anorexia, bulimia, different types of phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, and insomnia (“Cognitive behavioural therapy”). Additionally, this method of psychotherapy helps to treat some long-standing illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (“Cognitive behavioural therapy”). The way cognitive therapy works is illustrated on this website as well. Traditionally the length of the course is up to 20 sessions, each lasting from 30 to 60 minutes (“Cognitive behavioural therapy”). These sessions aim to help the patient implement some actions in his daily life that would come useful in treating the illness he has.
What is more, is the pluses and minuses of cognitive therapy are also pointed out on the website. Among its advantages, there are brevity, its highly structured nature, plenty of practices that can be implemented in everyday life, and the fact that it might be useful in cases where medicine has not worked. Disadvantages include the need for full commitment, spending considerable time on regular sessions, the fact that it might not be suitable for people with more complex issues, emotionally unpleasant transition period (“Cognitive behavioural therapy”). It also highlighted that some experts argue that cognitive therapy deals only with current problems the lie on the surface without going deeper to uncover some underlying issues. At the end of this article, some advice on how to find a good psychotherapist is given.
According to the fourth website, cognitive therapy is a wide-spread method of psychotherapy that can not only help people with mental problems but also teach them some ways to manage stressful situations more effectively (“Cognitive behavioral therapy”). Further, the author explains why such kind of treatment is performed and where it can be useful. These situations include managing signs of mental illnesses, averting a relapse of disorders, controlling emotions, overcoming emotional trauma. Some risks, such as defining your emotions and being uncomfortable during sessions, are mentioned on the website as well. Furthermore, there is some advice on how to prepare for cognitive therapy, find a suitable therapist, and what to expect during and after sessions.
The information about what is going to be at the first therapy session is also presented on the website. It includes giving information on the patient’s condition and problems to the therapist, interviewing the doctor to know whether he suits this person (“Cognitive behavioral therapy”). It is noted that during sessions of cognitive therapy, a doctor will encourage a patient to speak about his thoughts, feelings, and concerns and, after that, he will identify the problem and help solve it. The steps described on the site include identifying disturbing conditions and situations in one’s life, becoming aware of one’s thoughts and feelings, revealing harmful thinking, and reshaping it (“Cognitive behavioral therapy”). It is also mentioned that the length of the therapy varies according to the type of illness, the severity of the main symptoms, progress advancement, the amount of stress in the patient’s life. This site also provides the reader with some recommendations on how to get the most of therapy, and that includes following one’s treatment plan, being honest, open, and patient, completing the given homework.
The fifth site identifies cognitive therapy as a short-term, highly specialized kind of treatment that uses a pragmatic attitude to managing the problem (Martin). The way this method works by changing people’s behavior and feeling by altering disturbing thoughts is mentioned on the website. This article covers the history of cognitive therapy as well, stating that it was invented by Aaron Beck around the 1960s and highlighting his famous terms such as internal dialogue and automatic thoughts (Martin). Further, the author focuses on the explanation of why negative thoughts are important and where they come from. These thoughts are believed to be the cause of automatic thinking that gives out thoughts from the subconscious.
Cognitive therapy differs from other methods of psychotherapy as it contains a definite structure of sessions and completing homework assignments as well. What is also important is that group sessions might be efficient as they give people some sense of security and understanding among other individuals. Moreover, cognitive therapy differs from numerous types of psychotherapy in the special relationship between the client and the therapist, which bases on equality and cooperation (Martin). The article goes on to emphasize that this method of treatment is more suitable for those who are focused on a more practical approach than just getting knowledge. Among the mentioned problems that can be cured by cognitive therapy, there are sexual and relationship issues, chronic pain, mood swings, facial tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various phobias.
Thus, cognitive therapy is a method of psychotherapy that can rapidly change one’s condition by influencing his thoughts and reshaping them. It differs from other types of treatment in its length, strict structure, and cooperative relationship between patient and therapist. Cognitive therapy proves to be effective, and it comes useful in treating a wide range of mental illnesses and psychological problems that many people have.
Works Cited
Cherry, Kendra. “What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?” Verywellmind, 2020, Web.
“Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.” Mayoclinic, Web.
“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.” NHS, Web.
Martin, Ben. “In-Depth: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.” PsychCentral, 2019, Web.
“What Is Cognitive Therapy?” The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Web.