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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A Tool to Be Our Best Selves

At The 72 Fund, we recognize the transformative power of CBT in an individual's mental health journey. The practice of CBT can lead to a moment of genuine empowerment, allowing individuals to overcome overwhelming behaviors and thought patterns that previously seemed insurmountable. The 72 Fund views CBT as a life-changing tool—an evidence-based pathway to growth and healing. It is both an art and a science; it requires time for both understanding and implementation, but the result can be profoundly powerful. We believe CBT is one of the most effective tools for reclaiming one's identity.

Facts:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured form of talk therapy which consists of two distinct components: cognitive strategies and behavioral strategies.
  • A CBT therapist will first guide an individual to identify unhelpful thought patterns, then adjust behaviors related to such cognitive patterns.
  • The core of CBT is the fundamental principle that an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Treatment is systematically divided into two key components that work in tandem to create lasting change: cognitive strategies and behavioral strategies.
  • The initial phase of therapy focuses on the cognitive component. The goal is to pinpoint and dissect the “negative thoughts” and “unhelpful thought patterns”—often referred to as cognitive distortions—that contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behavior. Once these distorted thought patterns (e.g., catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization) are identified, the therapist and client work together to challenge their validity and replace them with more balanced, realistic, and adaptive ways of thinking.
  • Following the identification and modification of cognitive patterns, the focus shifts to the behavioral component. This phase involves actively adjusting and modifying habits that have been maintained by the unhelpful cognitive structure. Techniques may include behavioral experiments, exposure, and response prevention. The ultimate goal is for individuals to adopt new techniques that provide tangible evidence of their improving well-being.
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