Cognitive (or Cognitive) Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) is a scientifically based psychological treatment that research has shown to be effective for a wide range of problems.

Patients work with the therapist to identify and understand problems based on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Treatment usually focuses on the difficulties of the here and now and is based on the development of a shared view between the therapist and the patient about the problems of the latter.

This process leads to the definition of personal and immediate goals and strategies in treatment, which is constantly monitored and evaluated. Several times it will be necessary with the therapist, when the client feels ready, to review past experiences that can help in the possible interpretation of current dysfunctional behavior. Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy can work both individually and with families or groups.

The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy has been confirmed through many researches, while it has been proven to be an effective type of psychotherapy, with which situations can be treated, such as:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks or PTSD
  • Phobias (such as agoraphobia or social phobia)
  • Depression and Bipolar (Manic-depressive) Disorder
  • Obsessive Compulsive (or Obsessive) Disorder
  • Eating or physical health disorders (such as Anorexia nervosa or Bulimia nervosa)
  • Sexual or relationship problems
  • Problems in children and adolescents
  • Chronic pains
  • Anger or habit control problems (such as tics)
  • Substance or alcohol abuse
  • Schizophrenia and other psychoses
  • Learning disorders
  • Sleep disorders

Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy can be used alone or in combination with appropriate medication, depending on the severity or nature of each patient’s problem. Depending on the issue you are dealing with and your goals, there are different ways to approach CBT.

After talking with the mental health counselor and learning more about the issue you’re seeking help with, he or she will be able to use the appropriate cognitive behavioral therapy strategies for you.

  • Relaxation and stress reduction techniques

At GSPS you will learn to manage stress and increase your sense of control through diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness. It is the appropriate way to deal with phobias, social anxiety and other stressors.

  • Role game

Role playing can help you deal with different behaviors in potentially difficult situations. Playing out possible scenarios can reduce the fear you feel. It will also help you improve your problem-solving skills, gain self-confidence, practice social skills and learn to assert yourself and communicate better.

  • Cognitive Reconstruction

Overthinking tends to become one of the most common forms of behavior under pressure. Do you tend to overgeneralize, assume the worst, or pay too much attention to small details? Thinking this way can affect your actions and decisions, and it can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Behavior analysis is done with the therapist to find a possible pattern in them, to understand them, to learn how to reframe these thoughts so that this vicious cycle can be stopped.

  • Journaling thoughts

Observing and recording your thoughts has been and is one of the most timeless ways to get in touch with yourself and your deepest thoughts. The therapist can help you identify the negative thoughts you’ve been having between sessions, as well as the positive thoughts you can choose to have.

CPR is an established, effective type of short-term treatment. It is based on the connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how they can influence each other. If you feel that you find some meaning in all of the above and you want to change your life, don’t hesitate to contact a specialist. We can always choose the life we ​​want to have. Embrace the change!

Written by Ioannidis Dionysia, Psychologist – Mental Health Consultant