Cognitive Therapy: Effective for Behavioural Change

Cognitive therapy is suitable for individuals, couples, children and companies. It consists of managing fears as well as depression with the help of a psychotherapist. Find out in this article how this treatment is effective by following professional sessions with a behavioural psychiatrist. The details!

What is cognitive therapy?

Cognitive therapy is a therapy that explores a person's maladaptive behaviours through reactions and thoughts that are in tune with the world at large. This therapy helps to change the way a person acts (the behavioural aspect) and thinks (the cognitive aspect). The main objective of the behavioural psychiatrist is to work on image enhancement by re-examining the potentialities and qualities of the patient. He looks for alternative ways to identify and correct the thoughts of the individual to be treated, but also to understand the various symptoms that are at the origin of the psychic suffering of this individual. The latter must follow a special care programme with the help of a psychotherapist.

Effectiveness of cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy is adopted under several conditions. It is the most effective treatment for severe depression and anxiety disorders. For severe depression, therapy should be used in conjunction with medication. These medications will help you reach a mental state that allows you to get the therapy. Anxiety disorders should not be treated with tranquillizers. With cognitive therapy, the duration of treatment can range from 6 weeks to 6 months. It depends on the nature of your problem. For your information, be aware that a psychotherapist is like a personal trainer who directs and encourages you but cannot act in your place. You are advised to choose a behavioural psychiatrist after consulting a doctor.

Course of cognitive therapy

First of all, the psychotherapist defines with the patient the therapeutic objectives according to the problems to be treated and the goal to be achieved. To do this, he works on the person's symptoms and history. The patient will learn to examine and analyze his problems and their repercussions in order to create alternative behaviors at the end of the session. These new behaviours will be received through exercises adapted to the rhythm of each person. The realization of these exercises allows the development of behaviors more adequate to the image of the individual. It helps to limit anxiety and control painful emotions. If you do not want to follow this therapy, consult your doctor about alternative treatments.