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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffCognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat a wide range of issues. It's often the preferred type of psychotherapy because it can quickly help you identify and cope with specific challenges. It generally requires fewer sessions than other types of therapy and is done in a structured way.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a useful tool to address emotional challenges. For example, it may help you:
- Manage symptoms of mental illness, either by itself or with other treatments such as medications
- Prevent a relapse of mental illness symptoms
- Treat a mental illness when medications aren't a good option, such as during pregnancy
- Learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations, such as problems at work
- Identify ways to manage emotions, such as anger
- Resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate
- Cope with grief, such as after the loss of a loved one
- Overcome emotional trauma related to abuse or violence
- Cope with a medical illness, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or cancer
- Manage chronic physical symptoms, such as pain, insomnia or fatigue
Mental health conditions that may improve with cognitive behavioral therapy include:
- Sleep disorders
- Sexual disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Personality disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy is most effective when it's combined with other treatments, such as antidepressants or other medications.
References
- Lebow J. Overview of psychotherapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy. National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)? National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7952. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- Understanding psychotherapy and how it works. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-psychotherapy.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- Let's talk facts about psychotherapy. American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatry.org/mental-health/lets-talk-facts-brochures/lets-talk-facts-brochures. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- How to choose a psychologist. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/choose-therapist.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2103.
- Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct: Including 2010 amendments. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx?item=1. Accessed Jan. 22, 2013.
- Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 31, 2013.
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