Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-known psychotherapy treatment for patients suffering from depression or stress-related anxiety problems. It's a mix between cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. Cognitive therapy is focused on changing thinking patterns, whereas it helps reduce and eliminate negative behaviour.


Therapists who use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat or their patients need to employ a strict approach in which the patient is expected to adhere to an ABC Model. Based on the ABC Model it is believed that stress arises when a person experiences an activating Event (A) and has certain beliefs (B) regarding the incident, which cause consequences (C) which affect the individual in negative ways.


The ABC model assists one to identify the thoughts that are going through his head when the experience a specific positive or negative circumstance. The thoughts that arise cause the person to act differently. If one's thinking patterns tend to be stressful in nature the therapist will instruct the patient in how to alter those habits of thought to lessen the chance of anxiety, stress anxiety, depression etc.


CBT's process is best explained through an example like a situation where a patient struggles to cope with the loss of a close family member. It is the death of friend will be the triggering Moment (A) for this instance. The belief(s) concerning this incident may differ from person to person, but for purposes of this instance the belief (B) that the patient is that their friend died in a tragic manner and that the loss cannot be accepted regardless of how long time passes. Naturally this belief is likely to make the person feel depressed, and depression is the result (C) that comes from the belief.


The therapist must assist the patient in changing his perspective on the situation by explaining it isn't premature and that it is the will of God and, as time goes by the death of a friend is less painful and bearable, particularly if the patient believes that the person he lost is in a far better state of mind. The results of having these thoughts is such that the sufferer will slowly be better able to manage melancholia and prevent the symptoms of a depressive episode.


CBT has also been found to be beneficial for people suffering from mood disorders like bipolar disorder. It has been proven through research that when patients are taught what they can apply to ABC Model to everyday situations and then the likelihood of the chance of a relapse, or even a depressive episode decrease dramatically. CBT can help the patient recognize the patterns of thought that are likely to create stress. Once they've been able to identify these thoughts, they can be capable of preventing the onset of the other symptoms of their mental illness by diverting and altering negative and stressful thinking patterns.


Although CBT is thought to be one of the most effective psychotherapy mental health therapists, it is widely critiqued for being too rigid. To get the desired outcomes the therapist must ensure that the discussion in each session is highly concentrated. This can hinder the patient's ability to be open and open about their feelings so CBT isn't ideal to build an effective therapist-patient relationship which is the primary component of effective therapy. Despite this fundamental flaw in cognitive behavioral therapy, it is extensively used by therapists around the world.