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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffIn general, there's little risk in cognitive behavioral therapy. Because it can explore painful feelings and experiences, however, you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. Because psychotherapy sometimes involves emotional discussions, you may cry, get upset or feel angry during a session. You may also feel physically drained after a challenging session. Your therapist is trained to help you cope with these feelings and emotions.
Some forms of psychotherapy, such as exposure therapy, may require you to confront situations you'd rather avoid — such as airplanes if you have a fear of flying. This can lead to temporary stress or anxiety. But the coping skills you learn should help you later on to manage and conquer negative feelings and fears.
- Gafford J, et al. Psychological treatment of psychiatric disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 15, 2010.
- Epp A, et al. Applications of individual cognitive-behavioral therapy to specific disorders: Efficacy and indications. In: Gabbard GO. Textbook of Psychotherapeutic Treatments. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2009. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=369318&searchStr=cognitive-behavioral#searchTerm. Accessed July 15, 2010.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy. National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm. Accessed July 15, 2010.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7952. Accessed July 15, 2010.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding psychotherapy for adults. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
- Let's talk facts about psychotherapy. Healthyminds.org. http://www.healthyminds.org/Document-Library/Brochure-Library/Lets-Talk-Facts-Psychotherapy.aspx. Accessed July 16, 2010.
- Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. 2nd. ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/popup.aspx?aID=49371&print=yes. Accessed July 15, 2010.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Cognitive behavioral therapy. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2009.
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