Cognitive Behavioral Theory

The Cognitive Behavioral theory emphasizes the ability of clients to make changes in their own lives without having to understand why changes occur, but such theories generally demand the client to do considerable work, such as homework writing assignments and practice of techniques learned. Failure to complete tasks assigned is taken as a lack of motivation and unwillingness to change behaviors. The therapy deals with changing the thought patterns, as the way we perceive situations influences our emotional feelings. So behaviors can be changed once the thoughts start to change. Cognitive Behavioral therapy helps overcome a myriad of problems like depression and mood swings, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessions and compulsions, chronic anxiety or worry, eating disorders, insomnia and other sleep disorders, difficulty establishing or staying in relationships, substance abuse, and career problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy applies two very basic and highly effective tools, cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Behavior therapy helps one to weaken the connections between troublesome situations and their habitual reactions to them. Reactions like fear, depression or rage, and self-defeating or self-damaging behavior. The therapy also teaches you how to calm your mind and body, so you can feel better, think more clearly, and take better decisions. The rational behind behavior therapy is that anxiety is maintained by the person’s reactions to symptoms, by avoiding loss of confidence and anxiety producing symptoms. The therapy teaches how to control anxiety by using a variety of techniques like relaxing the mind, or by reengaging into pleasurable or pleasant activities to build confidence.