Being anxious now and then is perfectly normal but too much of it can be quite dangerous. Anxiety is one of the most complex health conditions that are often associated with several underlying causes.
Professional CBT therapists often adopt unique approaches during the treatment process of specific disorders. For example, the treatment approach for GAD or generalized anxiety disorders is different from that for social anxiety and other relevant phobias.
Studies have discovered that CBT interventions can offer significant results right from the first few sessions. Many people even notice an improvement in their symptoms after just 8 to 10 sessions.
Here are the steps that CBT follows when dealing with symptoms of anxiety:
Table of Contents
1. Determine the Thoughts That Trigger Anxiety
Many clients who are dealing with anxiety often nurse some deep-seated fears regarding a certain situation or event. These fears are usually unrealistic, continuing to linger if they are never discovered and addressed accordingly. The main objective of CBT is to pinpoint and challenge these irrational fears as needed.
2. Question the Irrational Fears and Negative Assumptions
The goal of this second step is to eliminate the validity of the negative assumptions of the client. This stage depletes the negative thoughts of their power as the client starts realizing that their thoughts are not true and real all the time.
3. Choose to Perceive the World in a Positive Light
This next step involves swapping out negative thoughts with more positive ones and encouraging new ways of perceiving the world. One objective of CBT is to educate clients regarding the essence of realistic and accurate thinking together with ways to achieve it.
Throughout the therapy, clients are also urged to change their perception of distressful situations and to question the dysfunctional thoughts that might pop into their heads.
4. Alter Behavioral Outcomes
Clients who suffer from anxiety might be hesitant and even scared of making some changes in their lives or starting a new initiative. This is the reason why CBT aims to encourage skills that will empower and encourage clients to make some necessary changes in their behavior.
A person with social anxiety, for instance, might struggle to meet new people for the very first time. The CBT therapist can serve as the client’s guide in taking small steps to feel more confident and comfortable even in new and unfamiliar social situations.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is found to be an effective therapy when it comes to managing different anxiety disorders. CBT therapists use and work with different techniques so it might take some time to determine which method will suit you best. While it is possible to use CBT on its own to treat anxiety, it is also typically used with several other strategies as a part of the general treatment plan..
