Here’s How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps With Depression

Posted by Fearless Healing Therapy on September 16th, 2019

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 17.3 million adults in the US have had at least one episode of major depression.

As there is a growing incidence of depression, using effective therapies and treatments to deal with the condition has become the need of an hour. One of the most popular methods of treatment of depression is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). It is a technique that primarily focuses on an individual's thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors.

CBT is conducted by counselors in individualized sessions over time. Here are some of the steps involved in the therapy which can help you when you are seeking effective counseling services in Lynnwood, WA.

Identify problematic situations

At the beginning of the therapy, a counselor interacts with you to understand your situation. Generally, a counselor asks the individuals about their stressful situations such as a divorce, medical condition or clinical symptoms. In the initial stage of the therapy, the counselor takes time to know the current problems and focuses on the goals that the individual wishes to achieve through therapy.

Focus on thoughts and beliefs

Once, the counselor knows about you, they will encourage you to share your thoughts about the problem. In this stage, the individual is encouraged to observe their thoughts about an event and take note. This can either happen through keeping a journal about their thoughts or indulging in “self-talk”. As a result, you will be able to interpret the meaning of their beliefs, situations and the persons around you.

Identify inaccurate thinking patterns

After you have an understanding of your thoughts, the counselor encourages you to identify the behavior and thought patterns that are causing the problem. This is a phase where you will need to pay attention to your physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to the situations. This will help the individual in dealing with depression.

Reshape negative thinking patterns

In the final stage of the therapy, the counselor will help the individual in reshaping their negative thoughts. A counselor will do this by indulging in non- directive questioning where they will ask you about whether the situation is based on facts or assumptions. This may be a difficult time for some individuals, but with willingness and an open mind, you can deal with the problem and achieve your goals.

To seek the best counseling services in Lynnwood, WA, you should get in touch with various counselors.

Author’s Bio- The author is an avid writer. This article is about Cognitive Behavior Therapy.