Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a highly effective treatment. It is also a lasting one. It concentrates on the identification, the understanding and the changed thinking patterns. Behavior is also noted. Benefits are generally observed anywhere between 12 to 15 weeks. The positive outcome is dependent on the particular individual.
In CBT, the patient is intensely involved in own recovery, and has sense of control. The individual learns skills which remain useful all through life. The process usually includes reading about problem and keeping all records between appointments. Homework assignments must also be completed and treatment procedures must be practiced. The patients imbibe skills during the therapy sessions. They must repeatedly practice to see any improvement.
Exposure Therapy
This is a kind of CBT and this process is done to reduce anxiety responses and fear. When a person is engaged in Exposure Therapy, this person is incrementally exposed to an object or situation which the person is afraid of. This makes that individual less sensitive over the course of time. This kind of therapy is found to be specifically helpful for phobias or the obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
This is more known by its initials ACT and employs the strategies of mindfulness and acceptance. Other elements used are commitment and the change in behavior, as a method to tackle unwanted thoughts, sensations and feelings. The ACT conveys skills to accept such experiences and put them in different context. There will also be increased clarity concerning personal values. There will also be a commitment to the required behavioral change.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
DBT integrates Eastern meditative concepts with cognitive behavioral methods for change and acceptance. The process includes both group and individual therapy to acquire mindfulness. Skills are also imparted for tolerating distresses, regulating emotions and interpersonal effectiveness.
Interpersonal Therapy
This is commonly known as IPT and is a supportive psychotherapy suitable for shorter terms. It solves interpersonal issues when it comes to depression in both adolescents and adults. It is also applied for older adults. The therapy generally involves one hour weekly sessions spread anywhere between 12 to 16 hours. The starting sessions are concentrated towards gathering information particularly about nature of that particular person’s cause of depression and also interpersonal experience.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
If put under particular conditions, it appears that eye movements reduce intensity of the disturbing thoughts. The EMDR treatment appears to be direct effect on the method information is processed by the brain. To keep it short, it assists a person to view disturbing material in a much less disturbing manner.
For more information on how CBT can help deal with PTSD, you can visit the Centre for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Ontario, Canada.