For patients affected by certain psychological challenges, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, offers a number of advantages that may not be available through other types of treatment options.

1. A Patient’s Guide to
Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy
By Dr. Barry Slone

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
For patients affected by certain
psychological challenges,
cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT,
offers a number of advantages that may
not be available through other types of
treatment options.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A key principle behind CBT is that feelings
and behaviors are driven by thoughts.
Once an individual learns to control his
thoughts, he can successfully adopt self-
counseling methods. This often results in
the patient gaining the confidence to
continue these practices even after formal
sessions have ended.

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In addition, CBT therapies tend be shorter-
term, with the research suggesting an
average of 16 sessions for patients
participating in CBT therapy. Knowing that
the number of sessions is likely to be
limited, patients more readily focus on
correcting underlying issues that allow
them to solve their problem and move on
with life.

5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In a similar vein, CBT therapy focuses on
the client’s goals and offers structured
therapy sessions. This approach reduces
the likelihood that the patient and therapist
will slip into unproductive sessions during
their work together.

6. About Dr. Barry Slone
A respected cognitive behavioral therapist,
Dr. Barry Slone is a member of American
College of Advanced Practice
Psychologists. For more than 25 years,
Dr. Slone has run a private practice in
Aliso Viejo, California, and served as an
instructor and clinical supervisor at
California State University at Fullerton.