Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral therapy refers to a classification of psychotherapeutic techniques that emphasize the important role that thinking (cognitive) plays in how we feel and act (behavioral). In other words, what we think of an event determines how we feel, which in turn influences how we behave. Our feelings are not dictated by the event, but are rather determined by the way we think about our situation.

For example, if someone were passed over for a promotion, that person could think that it is because her boss didn't like her. This could lead to depression and a lack of motivation to work, which would in turn decrease her chances of being promoted in the future. From the Cognitive Behavioral perspective, her depression is caused by how she interpreted the event, and not by the actual event itself. This means that if she were to change her thinking, it could lead to a better result. Instead of thinking that her boss didn't like her, she could make an honest assessment of her performance and identify specific areas for improvement. Then she would be able to work on improving her weaknesses and increase her chances of being promoted next time.

Cognitive Behavioral therapy has been shown to be most effective for anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder,