Insights
February 19, 2025

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): How It Works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): How It Works
Reframe your thoughts, transform your life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, practical approach to improving mental health. It helps people recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and teaches them how to reframe negative thinking patterns.

CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional challenges. For seniors, it can be especially helpful in managing life transitions, grief, chronic pain, and worries about aging.

What Is CBT?

CBT is a form of talk therapy that focuses on how thoughts shape emotions and actions. It helps individuals recognize unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced perspectives. Instead of dwelling on the past, CBT emphasizes practical strategies to navigate current challenges and improve well-being.

How CBT Works

CBT helps people develop real-life coping skills by working through the following steps with a therapist:

  • Identifying negative thought patterns that contribute to distress
  • Challenging unhelpful beliefs and replacing them with more constructive thinking
  • Learning techniques to manage stress, anxiety, or sadness in a healthier way
  • Practicing small behavior changes that can improve mood and daily life

CBT is an active therapy, meaning individuals may have exercises to try between sessions, such as journaling thoughts, practicing relaxation techniques, or reframing a stressful situation. These skills become tools that can be used long after therapy ends.

What Can CBT Help With?

CBT is widely used for many mental health concerns, including:

  • Depression and persistent sadness
  • Anxiety and excessive worry
  • Grief and adjusting to loss
  • Stress related to health, family, or life changes
  • Chronic pain and the emotional toll of physical health issues

For seniors, CBT can be particularly useful in addressing feelings of isolation, adjusting to retirement, managing health concerns, and maintaining emotional resilience in later life.

CBT at Sailor Health

At Sailor Health, we offer CBT as part of our mental health services, with therapists who specialize in using this approach to support seniors. If you're interested in learning how CBT or other therapeutic approaches could help, reach out to Sailor Health today. Small changes in thinking can lead to big improvements in emotional well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

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