CBT is a goal-oriented therapy that helps change thoughts and behaviors

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, has been around since the 1960s. It was invented by a psychiatrist, Aaron Beck, who observed that we have this internal dialogue that is automatic. He also invented the term ‘automatic thoughts,’ which is used to describe thoughts that pop up in our minds that are emotion-driven.

We are not always aware of these thoughts and they are not always positive. A key component of CBT is to reframe statements and learn thought-stopping techniques to help us learn how to control their thoughts and not let the automatic thoughts rule everything. CBT helps you learn and understand what is going on in your brain so that you can do better.

Over time, our automatic thoughts become more positive and we start feeling better with a lot less effort. We are able to change many thoughts, moods, and behaviors with CBT and it can be highly effective. It is one of the most widely used therapies out there.