What is cognitive behavioral therapy? Maybe you’ve heard the term in passing or perhaps your child’s therapist suggested it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and effective form of talk therapy used to treat various mental health conditions. This approach aims to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
CBT helps individuals recognize how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions. Therapists often suggest that our emotions result from our interpretations of a situation, not necessarily the situation itself. Learning tools to help navigate these situations early on can be extremely beneficial for children later on in life. Let’s explore CBT in more detail and learn how we can help our little ones on this journey.
The origins of cognitive behavioral therapy can be traced back to the 1960s, with psychiatrist Aaron Beck playing a pivotal role in its development. Beck was searching for better treatment approaches to depression in his patients. He recognized that certain thinking patterns were consistently associated with depression.
This breakthrough led him to develop cognitive therapy, a precursor to CBT. Over time, cognitive therapy expanded to encompass behavioral techniques, ultimately giving rise to cognitive behavioral therapy as we know it today.
There’s a reason cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone treatment in psychology. Unlike traditional psychoanalytic approaches that often focus on unearthing past experiences, CBT takes a more present-focused approach. This action-oriented form of therapy zeroes in on addressing current issues and equipping individuals with tangible coping strategies to navigate them.
CBT is not about spending years dissecting this that have happened in the past. This therapy operates on the belief that while you can’t rewind the past, you can learn healthier ways to respond to challenges in the present moment. Imagine it as a type of mental training, providing you with the tools and techniques needed to manage daily stressors.
Let’s talk about highly sensitive children; these individuals seem to feel everything more deeply. If you’re the parent of one of these extraordinary kids, you know they experience the world in technicolor when others experience it in black and white. A playground meltdown isn’t just a meltdown; it’s a symphony of emotions.
So, where does CBT fit in? Imagine giving these kids a set of emotional regulation tools. CBT does exactly that. This therapy helps highly sensitive children recognize and manage their emotions. It teaches them to identify those thought patterns and behaviors that aren’t serving them well.
Imagine your highly sensitive child not only recognizing when they’re approaching their emotional threshold, but also using techniques they learned to self-soothe. CBT empowers them to navigate their big emotions with grace and resilience.
Let’s bring CBT down to earth with a few parenting examples:
Notice a common thread here? These everyday situations aren’t just about “fixing” behavior; they’re valuable opportunities to teach children (and remind ourselves) how to self-regulate and navigate their emotions effectively. CBT reminds us that our role as parents extends beyond merely meeting basic needs. It’s about guiding them toward becoming well-rounded individuals equipped with the tools to thrive emotionally.
A question you may be asking yourself is, “What is cognitive behavioral therapy going to do for my child?” Beyond its effectiveness for highly sensitive children, research supports the use of CBT in various areas. Here’s a glimpse into what the research says about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
| Benefit | Supporting Evidence |
|---|---|
| Reduces Relapse in Depression | Research shows that CBT might be more effective at preventing relapse than using antidepressant medication alone. |
| Effective for Anxiety, PTSD, and OCD | A 2018 review suggests that it could help improve symptoms in situations related to these diagnoses. Family members of those with certain mental health conditions could also benefit from CBT. |
| Improves Brain Function in People with OCD | A study found that individuals with OCD had brain function improvement after trying CBT, which researchers suggested may help individuals resist compulsions. |
| Positive Effects Across Age Groups | Research found that the use of CBT for treating anxiety in young people seems promising because of good long-term results. |
CBT’s potential isn’t limited to face-to-face interactions in a therapist’s office. Technology is making it possible to increase access to treatment. Studies highlight promising results using virtual platforms or even through self-guided internet-based programs. Though internet-based platforms might feel different than in-person therapy sessions, it’s an option that has the potential to bridge gaps for individuals who lack access due to geographical constraints or even a busy lifestyle.
CBT is widely considered to be the “gold standard” in talk therapy. Its recognition stems from a robust body of research consistently demonstrating its effectiveness across numerous studies, spanning different disorders, and diverse demographics.
Unlike other therapies, such as psychodynamic or humanistic approaches, that can stretch over years with unclear metrics, CBT shines with its concrete structure, defined goals, and trackable progress. Most individuals engage in five to 20 sessions typically, though more sessions may be necessary.
There’s also a beautiful alignment between CBT and our current understanding of how the human mind works. This type of therapy aligns well with how researchers believe the human mind operates, making it a cutting-edge approach for modern times. It validates that change can occur by first shifting those deeply ingrained thought patterns that drive our behavior. CBT is grounded in the recognition that we can rewrite our internal dialogue to lead happier, healthier, more balanced lives.
It is a type of therapy that can help individuals identify negative thinking patterns and modify unhealthy behavioral patterns. This approach is solution-oriented and encourages individuals to utilize new problem-solving skills.
An individual who worries about germs may be afraid to leave the house because they fear becoming sick. A CBT therapist may start by helping them understand how this thought pattern developed. From there, they’d encourage the individual to begin gradually leaving the house and challenging those initial thoughts while offering skills to use along the way to help the person cope with those distressing thoughts.
It centers on recognizing that our emotions stem from our thoughts and that even if a situation can’t change, how we perceive it certainly can.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps highly sensitive children develop healthier thought patterns and coping strategies, allowing them to manage overwhelming emotions and reduce anxiety. Through CBT, these children can build resilience, improve emotional regulation, and enhance their confidence in handling everyday stressors. Just remember that therapy should be a safe, supportive journey toward lasting, positive change.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? How CBT Can Benefit Highly Sensitive Children
Jill Gilbert
Published by
