There are many reasons why CBT is a great choice for young people.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is very effective. This is the reason why expert groups such as the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommend CBT for children and young people with a wide range of emotional disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Here are some more reasons to choose CBT for young people:
A key feature of CBT involves the young person having an active role in identifying their goals, setting targets, experimenting, practising and monitoring their performance. This approach facilitates greater and more effective self-control.
CBT is a structured and focused approach that guides a young person through a process of assessment, problem formulation, intervention, monitoring and evaluation. The goals and targets of the intervention are explicitly defined and regularly reviewed. This provides a helpful way of assessing progress and ensuring that the young person is making the changes that they want to make.
CBT is time-limited. The brief nature of CBT promotes independence and encourages self-help.
CBT focuses on current problems and difficulties. This focus tends to be preferred by young people who may be more interested in and motivated to address real time, here-and-now issues, rather than understanding their origins.
CBT is an active process that encourages the development and practise of new skills. Young people are not simply passive recipients but are invited to observe and learn through a process of curiosity, questioning and experimentation.
CBT is a skills-based model of therapy. The aim is to help young people improve their well-being and enhance their resilience and future coping. This is achieved through developing a wide range of helpful cognitive and behavioural skills which young people can continue to use long after treatment has ended. In essence, young people develop the skills to become their own therapists.
To conclude, CBT takes young people on a journey of self-discovery and change. When undertaken with kindness, compassion and fun, this journey can be life-changing.