Kognityvinė-elgesio terapija

On November 1, 2021, Aaron Temkin Beck died – an American psychotherapist, professor of psychiatry, who went down in history as the creator of the cognitive-behavioral direction in psychotherapy.

“The key to understanding and solving psychological problems lies in the mind of the patient,” said the psychotherapist. His groundbreaking approach to working with depression, phobias and anxiety disorders has shown good results in therapy with clients and has become popular with professionals around the world.

Kas tai yra?

This method of psychotherapy appeals to consciousness and helps to get rid of stereotypes and preconceived ideas that deprive us of freedom of choice and push us to act according to a pattern.

The method allows, if necessary, to correct the unconscious, “automatic” conclusions of the patient. He perceives them as truth, but in reality they can greatly distort real events. These thoughts often become the source of painful emotions, inappropriate behavior, depression, anxiety disorders, and other illnesses.

Veikimo principas

Therapy is based on the joint work of the therapist and the patient. The therapist does not teach the patient how to think correctly, but together with him understands whether the habitual type of thinking helps him or hinders him. The key to success is the active participation of the patient, who will not only work in sessions, but also do homework.

If in the beginning therapy focuses only on the symptoms and complaints of the patient, then gradually it begins to affect the unconscious areas of thinking – core beliefs, as well as childhood events that influenced their formation. The principle of feedback is important – the therapist constantly checks how the patient understands what is happening in therapy, and discusses possible errors with him.

Progresas

The patient, together with the psychotherapist, find out under what circumstances the problem manifests itself: how “automatic thoughts” arise and how they affect his ideas, experiences and behavior. In the first session, the therapist only listens carefully to the patient, and in the next they discuss in detail the patient’s thoughts and behavior in numerous everyday situations: what does he think about when he wakes up? What about breakfast? The goal is to make a list of moments and situations that cause anxiety.

Then the therapist and the patient plan a program of work. It includes tasks to complete in places or circumstances that cause anxiety – ride the elevator, eat dinner in a public place … These exercises allow you to consolidate new skills and gradually change behavior. A person learns to be less rigid and categorical, to see different facets of a problem situation.

The therapist constantly asks questions and explains points that will help the patient understand the problem. Each session is different from the previous one, because each time the patient moves forward a little and gets used to living without the support of the therapist in accordance with new, more flexible views.

Instead of “reading” other people’s thoughts, a person learns to distinguish his own, begins to behave differently, and as a result, his emotional state also changes. He calms down, feels more alive and free. He begins to be friends with himself and stops judging himself and other people.

In what cases is it necessary?

Cognitive therapy is effective in dealing with depression, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders. This method is also used to treat alcoholism, drug addiction and even schizophrenia (as a supportive method). At the same time, cognitive therapy is also suitable for dealing with low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, perfectionism, and procrastination.

It can be used both in individual work and in work with families. But it is not suitable for those patients who are not ready to take an active part in the work and expect the therapist to give advice or simply interpret what is happening.

How long does therapy take? How long is it?

The number of meetings depends on the willingness of the client to work, on the complexity of the problem and the conditions of his life. Each session lasts 50 minutes. The course of therapy is from 5-10 sessions 1-2 times a week. In some cases, therapy can last longer than six months.