Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Together with hypnotherapy, psychoanalysis, commitment and acceptance therapy, and many others, it is hard to find a therapy which is not debated by scholars and clinicians alike. However, CBT or cognitive behavioural therapy remains among one of the most widely taught, and whose benefits have been most closely associated with remission from depression. For example, psychological studies have shown that in conjunction with medication, CBT use was more likely to lead to positive results and recovery from depression than use of medication alone.

Art has a lot to do with how we perceive the environment. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

So what is CBT? CBT operates on the notion that our feelings, thoughts and behaviours are interrelated. Cognitions or thoughts influence our feelings and our behaviours, while emotions and actions in turn influence and reinforce the way we think. Thus, according to CBT the cycle of negative emotions, thoughts and behaviour may be broken by introducing positivity at any stage of the interrelated circle. However, it may be difficult to change the way one feels, so thoughts and behaviours may be better targets to a healthier lifestyle.