Cognitive Behavioral Based Therapies
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CBT: What it is!
Cognitive behavioral therapy, also called CBT, is a common type of talk therapy. This type of talk therapy is also called psychotherapy. During CBT, you work with a mental health professional such as a psychologist or other licensed therapist in a structured way. You attend a limited number of sessions. CBT helps you become aware of thinking patterns that may be creating issues in your life. Looking at the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviors helps you view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.
CBT can be a very helpful tool in treating many mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, or an eating disorder. Sometimes CBT is the only treatment needed. Other times it’s used along with other therapies or treatments such as medicines.
You don’t need to have a mental health condition to benefit from CBT. CBT can be an effective way to learn how to better manage stressful life situations.
ACT: What it is!
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of mindfulness-based therapy that helps individuals build psychological flexibility to live a full and meaningful life. Instead of trying to control or avoid painful experiences, ACT encourages people to accept these feelings and make choices based on their personal values.
- Goal: To develop “psychological flexibility” and live a values-based life, rather than merely seeking happiness.
- Method: Encourages acceptance and mindfulness of difficult thoughts and feelings, instead of avoidance.
- Outcome: Allows individuals to be fully present in their experiences and make choices aligned with their personal values.
- Focus: Uses acceptance and commitment processes to produce lasting behavior change.
DBT: What it is!
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). It’s based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it’s specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps people understand how thoughts affect emotions and behaviors.
“Dialectical” means combining opposite ideas. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors, as well as helping them learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions.