Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist
Summary
Coach patients through problems by changing the way they think.
What does a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist do?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT) is a broad term that can include a few specific types (like rational emotive behavior therapy or rational living therapy), all with similar characteristics. These characteristics include an emphasis on talking through problems, a focus on the here and now, and the belief that thoughts, not people or things, cause a patient’s discomfort. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists help their patients understand and use the different techniques of this therapy type to handle their issues.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists can see patients of any age, with a variety of problems that include depression, eating disorders, anxiety, PTSD, or even insomnia. The only times this therapy isn’t used are in cases of drug or alcohol addiction, or more serious psychotic problems that require medicine, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
This type of therapy is different from others for a few reasons. One of those reasons is the fact that CBT has an end date. Unlike other therapies that can continue for years, if you’re a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, you tend to only see your patients for about 16 sessions
Another big difference is the use of homework assignments. Although you give your patients the basic tools to handle their problems, the responsibility is really theirs to internalize a new way of thinking and change the way they feel.
