Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Enterprises

Numerous studies have concluded that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be highly effective. Two reviews, conducted in 2006 and 2007, each comprising more than 30 studies (1)(2), demonstrated that self-help treatments significantly reduced both anxiety and depression, particularly when the treatments used CBT techniques. The research also concluded that online CBT is as effective as face-to-face support.

CBT is perhaps best suited for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms who are generally able to function. Someone experiencing severe depression and struggling to get out of bed may not be a good fit and may require more intensive treatment with a therapist.

Studies have also shown that people tend to maintain their progress over time, which is very encouraging. One of the goals of CBT is to become your own therapist, by learning skills that you can apply on your own after treatment, to maintain feelings of well-being.

Online CBT removes significant barriers that have prevented most employees with mental health issues from receiving the support they need, such as cost, wait times, geographic limitations, and stigma.

Online CBT provides employees with convenient, on-demand access to effective mental health support. With personalized treatment plans, employees can address their specific concerns and improve their overall well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for a wide range of mental and emotional health issues, including anxiety and depression.

CBT helps individuals identify and manage unhelpful thoughts, and learn practical coping strategies. These strategies are designed to bring about immediate positive changes in quality of life.

CBT can benefit anyone who needs support to manage negative thoughts that are preventing them from achieving their goals or living the life they want.

CBT shows us how our thoughts influence our moods. It also teaches us to think less negatively about ourselves and our lives. CBT is based on the idea that negative thinking is a habit, like any other, and can be unlearned.

CBT is effective in treating a wide range of psychological issues, including:

• Anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Irrational fears
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• Substance abuse, such as smoking, drinking, or drug use
• Gambling
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Marital or relationship problems
• Certain emotional or behavioral problems in children or adolescents.

We all experience anxiety at times. Anxiety serves as a protective mechanism and can enhance our performance when facing stressful situations. For example, increased feelings of anxiety before a job interview or a big race can actually help improve our performance.

However, for some people, feelings of anxiety are more generalized. This means we constantly feel on edge or fearful, regardless of what we are doing. This can be extremely uncomfortable and interfere with our daily lives. If this is the case, we need to start learning some skills to cope with these anxious feelings. And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be helpful.

CBT focuses on changing the thought patterns and beliefs that are related to and causing the anxiety. By identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts, CBT can help individuals manage and reduce their excessive anxiety. The goal is to develop more realistic and adaptive ways of thinking that can alleviate the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety.

Through CBT, people learn practical techniques and strategies to control their anxious thoughts and behaviors, ultimately improving their ability to function and enjoy their daily lives. CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of anxiety disorders.

People experiencing depression may have persistent negative emotions about themselves, others, and the world around them. These negative thought patterns arise automatically, making it difficult to recognize that our judgments are irrational or unfair towards ourselves.

CBT can be helpful for people with depression by providing them with tools to manage these negative thoughts and replace them with a more realistic and positive thought process. CBT is also used to address a wide range of other mental health issues.

In some cases, other forms of therapy may be used in conjunction with CBT to achieve the best results. It is recommended to discuss with a healthcare professional to get further guidance on the most appropriate treatment approach.

The goal of CBT for depression is to help individuals identify and challenge the negative thought patterns that contribute to their depressive symptoms. By developing more adaptive and balanced ways of thinking, individuals can start to experience improvements in their mood, behavior, and overall well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the interconnected relationship between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For instance, excessive shyness in social situations (social phobia) might stem from the belief that others will always find us boring or stupid. These negative thoughts can lead to intense anxiety in social settings.

This anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms like trembling, sweating, or a racing heart. Subsequently, we may feel overwhelmed by negative emotions (such as shame) and engage in self-defeating thoughts ("I'm so stupid"). Over time, the fear of social situations can intensify with each negative experience.

CBT teaches individuals that they have the power to control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By challenging and replacing negative thought patterns and learning practical strategies to modify behaviors, individuals can experience more positive emotions, leading to a more positive outlook.

The key idea is that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, and by working to change one aspect, we can influence the others. CBT provides the tools and frameworks to help people identify and modify the unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their difficulties, ultimately leading to improved mental health and well-being.

CBT focuses on changing unhelpful or unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. It is a combination of two therapies: "cognitive therapy" and "behavioral therapy". The foundation of both of these techniques is that healthy thoughts will lead to healthy emotions and behaviors.

Cognitive therapy aims to change the way you think about a troubling issue.

Negative thoughts can lead to self-destructive feelings and behaviors. For instance, someone who believes they are unlovable or unworthy may withdraw from social situations and become shy. Cognitive therapy challenges these thoughts and provides you with healthier coping strategies.

One technique involves asking you to provide evidence to 'prove' that you are unlovable. This might include reminding you of times when loved ones have shown you affection and respect. This evidence helps you realize that your belief is incorrect. This is called 'cognitive restructuring.' You learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts, replacing them with more realistic and positive ones.

The goal of behavioral therapy is to teach you techniques or skills to change your behavior. For example, a person who feels shy at a party might have negative thoughts and feelings about themselves. They may also lack social skills. Behavioral therapy teaches you more helpful behaviors. For instance, you might learn conversation skills that you practice in therapy and in social situations. Negative thoughts and feelings decrease as you discover that you can enjoy social situations.

The details of the treatment approach will vary depending on your specific issues. However, CBT typically includes the following:

• Assessment - This may involve filling out questionnaires to help you describe your specific problems and identify the symptoms causing anxiety. Sometimes you will be asked to complete forms so that you and the therapist can track your progress and identify any issues or symptoms that need more attention.
• Personal education - The therapist provides written materials to help you learn more about your specific psychological issue. The saying "knowledge is power" is a foundation of CBT. Understanding your specific psychological problem will help you eliminate unfounded fears, which will in turn help reduce your anxiety and other negative feelings.
• Goal setting - The therapist helps you make a list of the goals you want to achieve through therapy (for example, you may want to overcome your shyness in social environments). You and your therapist then work out practical strategies to help you accomplish these goals.
• Practicing strategies - You practice your new strategies with the therapist. For example, you may role-play difficult social situations or have realistic self-talk (the way you talk to yourself internally) to replace unhealthy or negative self-talk.
• Homework - You will be expected to actively engage in your own therapy process. You are encouraged to use the practical strategies you have practiced in your daily life and report the results back to the therapist. For example, the therapist may ask you to keep a journal.

Medication is not always necessary, but we always need to consult with a general practitioner or psychiatrist. CBT can be effective in treating depression and anxiety. In other cases, you and the therapist may decide that using medication along with CBT will yield the best results. For example, people with bipolar disorder often benefit from medication to help manage mood swings.

Before choosing CBT, the issues to consider may include:

• CBT may not be the best form of therapy for those with any kind of brain disease or injury that impairs their rational thinking ability.
• CBT requires you to actively participate in the treatment. For example, you may be asked to keep detailed diaries of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. If you are not willing to engage in this, you may be disappointed with the results of CBT.
• CBT involves a close working relationship between you and the therapist. Trust and professional respect are important. If you do not feel comfortable with the first therapist you consult, try a different one.
• While CBT is considered a short-term form of psychotherapy, it can still take several months or longer for you to successfully challenge and overcome unhealthy thought and behavior patterns. CBT can be disappointing if you are looking for an "instant change" solution.

You will be trained to logically re-examine the evidence for your negative thoughts and adjust how you view the world around you. The therapist will assign 'homework' between sessions. Generally, an average of 6 to 10 sessions are needed, but the exact number will vary for each individual.

Investing in your employees' mental health is a smart business decision. By offering access to CBT, you can reduce absenteeism, improve productivity, and foster a more positive work environment. Our platform provides the tools and support your employees need to thrive.

Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about our comprehensive employee wellness solutions.

1. Hirai M, Clum GA. A meta-analytic study of self-help interventions for anxiety problems. Behav Ther. 2006 Jun;37(2):99-111. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2005.05.002. Epub 2006 Mar 24. PMID: 16942965.
2. Gellatly J, Bower P, Hennessy S, Richards D, Gilbody S, Lovell K. What makes self-help interventions effective in the management of depressive symptoms? Meta-analysis and meta-regression. Psychol Med. 2007 Sep;37(9):1217-28. doi: 10.1017/S0033291707000062. Epub 2007 Feb 19. PMID: 17306044.
3. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2016/Discovering-New-Options-Self-Help-Cognitive-Behav