Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common types of psychotherapy used in treating anxiety disorders, according the Mayo Clinic. Children, teens and adults who suffer from anxiety disorders have trouble concentrating, difficulty succeeding at work and school and a hard time maintaining healthy relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with anxiety disorders lead more normal lives.
Basics
Cognitive behavioral therapy is short-term therapy, usually lasting between 12 and 16 weeks. Unlike traditional, Freudian therapy, the focus is on the present and future. Cognitive behavioral therapists work with clients to help them understand how their thoughts affect their emotions and behaviors. They also give specific advice and guidance about behavioral changes. For instance, the therapist might encourage a teen who suffers from social phobia to introduce herself to one person before the next session.
Features
Education, monitoring and homework assignments are major components of this type of therapy. Therapists provide education to clients and their families about the anxiety disorder they suffer from. They also work with clients to help them understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful worrying and anxiety, according to Helpguide.org. Throughout the therapeutic experience, the client and therapist work together to monitor the client's level of anxiety. Therapists give homework assignments on a weekly basis, because they know that one hour of therapy a week will not significantly reduce anxiety symptoms if the client does not continue to work outside of the sessions.
Strategies
Helpguide.org reports that cognitive behavioral therapists use three types of strategies including physical control strategies, cognitive control strategies and behavioral strategies. Learning physical control strategies will help you learn to regulate your body's responses to stress and anxiety. The therapist might teach you guided imagery and deep breathing techniques. Cognitive control strategies help you combat negative and irrational thoughts to reduce symptoms of anxiety. The therapist will give you behavioral strategies to face your fears, improve your problem-solving abilities and take control of your life.
First Session
If you're considering participating in cognitive behavioral therapy, you might be nervous about telling a stranger all your problems and wondering what your first session would be like. During the first session, most therapists ask about the client's symptoms, talk to the client about his diagnosis, educate the client on what cognitive behavioral therapy is and how it can help him and get a history of family mental illness and the client's medical background.
Considerations
Sometimes therapy isn't enough. Even though cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, it takes time and practice to become effective. People who are in crisis may need to combine therapy with medication to reduce symptoms of anxiety. For instance, a woman who suffers from panic attacks with agoraphobia that is too afraid to leave her house to go anywhere, including therapy, will need medication to reduce her anxiety enough to participate in therapy.
