What Is Cognitive Therapy?
Cognitive therapy views emotional problems as influenced by negative or extreme thought patterns. These patterns have frequently become so habitual that they are experienced as automatic and go unnoticed by the individual.
While in treatment, patients are taught how to uncover these negative patterns and replace them with more adaptive ways of viewing life events. Through this process, patients learn self-help techniques that can produce rapid symptom shifts, solve current life problems, and improve self-esteem.
Cognitive therapy also addresses self-defeating behavior patterns, such as problems with assertiveness or intimacy.
Click "next" to read more about how cognitive therapy is different from other approaches.