Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Counseling: A Practical Guide by Justin Biske
As a licensed counselor with years of experience in helping clients overcome their mental health challenges through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I know firsthand how effective this type of therapy can be. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve overall mental health and wellbeing. In this article, I'll explore how I use CBT to help my clients and the practical steps you can take to incorporate CBT into your own mental health routine. Step 1: Identify negative thought patterns. The first step in CBT is to identify negative thought patterns, also known as cognitive distortions. Examples of cognitive distortions include black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, and overgeneralization. I help my clients identify these negative patterns and work to replace them with more positive, rational thoughts. Step 2: Challenge Negative Thoughts Once negative thought patterns have been identified, I help my clients challenge them by looking for...