What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Why Identifying Thought Processes Is Important for Healing

Sometimes, our thoughts really do get the best of us. 

Modern therapists often ask their clients questions related to thought content — from self-hatred to perfectionism, and everything in between. If these conversations have come up during your therapy sessions, there’s a good chance your clinician is using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known by its acronym, CBT. 

CBT — which falls under cognitive and behavioral theories — was invented by Psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in the '60s and '70s as a way to identify “automatic thoughts.” To put it plainly, these are internal beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world around us. In daily life, we may not pay close attention to these thoughts. But they hold the power to inform how we view and interact with the world— hence why CBT therapists choose to explore them. 

The “cognitive” part of therapy brings these to focus so the second portion of treatment — “behavior” — can be changed. Consider the statement “I am not worthy of love.” A therapist can guide their client to find the root of this belief and challenge it. Changing behavior comes next, both changing the thought and changing any external behaviors that result from the thought. 

One strength of CBT is focusing on both the internal and external, which allows a client’s whole life to be examined through the lens of one theory. CBT is empirically researched, with over 2,000 studies suggesting it can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, and substance use disorders, among other conditions.

When pursuing this type of therapy, some clients may find their therapists focus on life as it is now, rather than the past. Therapists may or may not choose to assign homework to clients to further advance therapy. With increased public interest in the therapy modality, social media clinicians, anxiety workbooks, and self-help novels often draw from CBT techniques to eliminate uncomfortable symptoms without the direct influence of a personal therapist. 

Chicago Center for Behavioral Health therapists are skilled in CBT, as well as other behavioral therapies that can encourage positive growth. With empirically researched treatments, we strive to help clients break the cycle of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Click here for more information on our services.