aPPROACHES

Cognitive Therapy

At It Begins Within, we provide cognitive therapy services in Tampa, focusing on helping clients identify and transform unhelpful thought patterns to improve emotional well-being and promote healthier coping strategies. Our approach is structured, goal-oriented, and designed to empower clients with practical tools for lasting change.

Overview of Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a specific type of therapy approach that was originally developed by Aaron Beck, an influential psychologist and psychiatrist, in the 1960s. Beck pulled from what is known as cognitive theory; briefly, this theory operates under the belief that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and influenced by each other. Cognitive therapy is closely tied to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as the names of both would indicate. However while CBT focuses on how to change thoughts and behaviors, cognitive therapy is focused moreso on changing thoughts and the trickle down effect that can have. Cognitive therapy also tends to be a very collaborative process, which can be attractive to certain people who want to have more of a say in the direction of their therapy experience. Cognitive therapy is grounded in clinical psychology and research, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to improve patients' mental health and quality of life.

Who Can Benefit From Cognitive Therapy

Due to the specific nature of the way that cognitive therapy addresses issues, it is well suited for certain types of problems, including emotional disorders. This can include:

  • Anxiety disorders

  • Eating disorders

  • Personality disorders

  • Substance use disorders/substance abuse

  • Depression

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Relationship conflicts

  • Behavioral problems

Cognitive therapy can also be used on its own to address whatever the client brings to the office, or it may be used alongside medication. In this case the therapist would work in tandem with a psychiatrist or other professional licensed to prescribe psychiatric medication.

This approach may also be attractive to practitioners because while it is structured, there is also relative ease in adapting the theory to use with children, adolescents, older adults, and other populations. Due to the nature of using education throughout the therapy process, this theory is also especially well suited for group therapy as well as individual therapy sessions.

What are the Core Concepts of Cognitive therapy?

Cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns. It centers on core beliefs, which are deep-seated ideas about oneself and the world, and automatic thoughts, which are quick, often negative responses to situations. By recognizing these distorted thoughts and learning to reframe them, individuals can improve their emotional well-being. This therapy highlights the strong connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, helping clients reduce negative emotions and adopt healthier perspectives.

Core Beliefs and Automatic Thoughts

Core beliefs are deep-rooted ideas about oneself and the world, such as feeling unworthy, that influence emotional responses. Automatic thoughts are quick, often negative reactions linked to these beliefs, like expecting to fail when challenged.

Thought-Emotion Connection

This therapy highlights how negative thoughts often lead to distressing emotions, showing that changing thoughts can reduce negative emotional responses.

Identifying and Challenging Distorted Thoughts

Cognitive therapy teaches clients to recognize unhelpful thoughts, such as catastrophizing, and reframe them more positively, shifting from “I’ll fail” to “I can try my best.”

Structured, Short-Term Approach

Cognitive therapy is typically structured, with a goal-oriented focus on specific issues like anxiety, often in 10-20 sessions to teach skills for long-term use.

Understanding the difference between Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are related but distinct approaches.

  1. Cognitive Therapy: This is primarily focused on identifying and changing unhelpful or distorted thoughts. Developed by Aaron Beck, it emphasizes understanding how one's thoughts influence their emotions. Cognitive therapy is about helping people recognize these thoughts and develop alternative, more adaptive ones to improve mental well-being.

  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT incorporates cognitive therapy but also includes behavioral interventions. CBT combines changing thought patterns (the cognitive aspect) with developing new behaviors (the behavioral aspect) to help individuals address specific problems. The goal is not only to alter unhelpful thinking but also to actively change patterns of behavior.

In short, while cognitive therapy focuses mainly on thought processes, CBT addresses both thoughts and behaviors for a more comprehensive approach.

Schedule Free Consultation

We offer comprehensive mental health services and free consultations for all of our skilled therapists. Our belief is that the strongest factor in your success through therapy is the relationship with your therapist - and we want to ensure that.