Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a specific form of psychotherapy that has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of many psychological issues. CBT is a highly specific form of therapy. It is time-limited, which means you should not be in therapy for years and years. 

Each CBT session should consist of the following:

1. Mood check: Your therapist should keep an eye on how you are doing by administering brief mood checks during every session. This is akin to a physician taking your temperature each time you come in for a visit.

2. Homework Review: Much of the work in therapy is completed between sessions. You will be given assignments such as mood or sleep monitoring, thought records, reading, listening to audio information, or trying new behaviors. 

3. Setting the Agenda: In order to get the most out of the session, you and your therapist will work together to determine what will be discussed in the session. Usually, there will be 1-3 items to discuss. It is helpful to think about these things between sessions and have a list prepared ahead of time.

4. Discussing items on the agenda: Each of your items should be addressed, not necessarily "solved." The more specific you can get with your therapist on what your needs are, the more he or she will be able to assist. Any leftover items will be set to discuss during the next session.

5. Setting new homework, getting feedback, and summarizing the session: It is important to communicate with your therapist on how therapy is going. If you have concerns, it is essential to voice them. Your therapist should be open and receptive to criticism and willing to consider changes. As you progress in therapy, you will increasingly take responsibility for the therapy and will eventually begin setting your own homework assignments. This is all in the service of teaching you to be your own therapist.