CBT is, first of all, a form of psychological therapeutics. It can be applied to many areas and problems, not just the office.
In the office, everything typically starts when a person does not feel well emotionally or has a behavioral problem and therefore decides to consult a psychologist.
Next, we will develop a series of essential points describing how the treatment is carried out.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Has Three Main Stages.
At Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we organize ourselves into three stages: evaluation, treatment, and follow-up.
In the first stage, the psychological evaluation, we get to know the patient and understand the problems he consults for. If there is a diagnosis such as Depression or Social Phobia, we try to find it now. In general, we explain what we discover in these first interviews to the patient; in this way, he begins to learn about his problem and gives us his point of view. Very essential: during this stage, the patient and the therapist talk and agree on the therapeutic objective and calculate them.
The second stage is the longest, the treatment itself. This is when the techniques to achieve the change that benefits the patient are applied, trying to achieve the achievements raised in the first stage. The techniques that are applied vary greatly depending on the problem, the patient, and the moment they are going through. In any case, the application of a procedure is always discussed in advance with the patient.
During the third stage, follow-up, we space out the frequency of consultations while applying procedures to maintain changes and prevent relapses. When the objectives are achieved, and the change is consolidated, we discharge the patient.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is A Scientific Approach.
Although it may seem strange, not all therapies psychologists apply have a scientific basis. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a scientific therapy, which does not mean that it is infallible, but rather that the procedures applied are investigated with rigid empirical methods, today intently linked to advances in neuroscience. That is why we are most likely to obtain the goals. A scientifically validated procedure does not guarantee benefit but makes it much more likely.
Scientific research on the effectiveness of the procedures has resulted in the so-called “Empirically Supported Therapies” or “Effective Psychological Treatment Guides.” Simply put, these are lists detailing the most effective techniques for each problem. Of course, in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we rely on such guidelines.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is Practical And Works With Objectives.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention focuses on solving the person’s current problems and the reasons that afflict them today and make them suffer. In some cases, when it is essential to understand the current trouble, we ask for information about the past; but the accent of the treatment is placed on solving the difficulties of today.
Practical objectives guide the dialogues between the patient and the therapist. It is not a spontaneous talk without direction, but we are guided by the reasons that brought the patient to the therapeutic.
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, The Psychologist Actively Intervenes.
The cognitive behavioral therapist is active; he questions, answers, suggests, and explains. We start from the idea that the patient seeks help because he has problems that cause him suffering, and he has been unable to solve them by his means. The cognitive behavioral therapist has scientific knowledge about what to do to alleviate the condition and, for this reason, applies it to the patient who is asking for it.
In particular, the cognitive behavioral therapist does not remain quiet, mysterious, aloof, or unknown. Instead, we foster a trusting and caring human bond within the confines of the therapeutic relationship.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is A Short-Duration Intervention.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has an end, except in cases of chronic pathologies. The duration of therapeutic depends on many factors, but mainly two. First is the diagnosis because there are problems whose solution is faster and easier. Second, is the patient’s commitment; Well; in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we used to give patients exercises and tasks; the more the patient is dedicated, the faster the goals are achieved.
We do not have therapies lasting several years. Except for severe or chronic cases, psychological treatment rarely lasts much longer than a year and almost always lasts less than two years.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is A Treatment With A Broad Spectrum Of Applications.
CBT is a treatment approach applicable to different problems and fields. In the clinic, in the doctor’s office, it is not only used for specific problems such as phobias or depression, but it is also effective in treating life crises, family and couple problems, and non-specific emotional discomfort. Besides, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy applies to different areas of the office, such as school or work.
