About 20 percent of children from ages 3 to 17 suffer from mental health issues every year, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The issues that these children face are varied; from anxiety, depression, substance abuse to behavioral and social challenges, and mood and eating disorders, the CDC concludes that children’s mental health is a very important public health concern.
One approach that has been proven to be successful in treating these mental health challenges in children is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Eva Carlston Academy delves into the top five benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in teens and adolescents, highlighting the impact of this evidence-based technique in children’s mental health and overall well-being.
Empowering Teens: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Pioneered in the 1960s by American psychiatrist and professor Dr. Aaron Beck, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured and goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that targets cognitive, behavioral, and emotional vulnerabilities in teens using guided strategies and interventions.
CBT comprises of numerous strategies and focuses on a wide range of topics including cognitive restructuring, habituation, extinction, modeling, problem-solving, and the development of coping strategies.
The following are the key steps of CBT:
- The child should identify the challenging conditions and/or situations in his/her life, such as anger, grief, a medical condition, or a parents’ divorce.
- They should become aware of their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs associated with these challenges.
- Define negative thinking patterns that may be exacerbating the situation.
- Address and reshape these negative thoughts. This step may be facilitated by a therapist, prompting the child to assess whether his/her perception of the situation is grounded in factual information or inaccurate perception.
Fostering Mental Wellness in Teens: Advantages of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Changes Negative Thought Patterns
With the help of therapists, teens will be able to identify the reasons behind their negative thinking and learn to replace it with positive mantras and healthy habits. The reinforcement of positivity helps combat substance abuse or self-harm due to negative thinking.
• Improves Self-Esteem
Teens will learn to build coping skills through CBT, which can help improve their self-confidence and self-esteem. Group therapy also helps; teens can prove that they are capable of anything they set their minds to, including leading a healthy and productive life.
• Enhances Communication Skills
Individuals who suffer from any mental health issue tend to have poor communication skills. CBT encourages open communication and self-expression, practicing with peers in group therapy or with family members in family therapy.
• Encourages Social Interaction
Teens with mental disorders are usually withdrawn and anti-social. Through CBT, they will learn to navigate social situations and interactions better, leading to healthy social and emotional development, and independence.
• Boosts Self-Compassion
Because teens learn to identify and challenge negative self-critical thoughts through CBT, it will help them have a more balanced and compassionate view of themselves, learning how to replace self-judgment with self-kindness. This cultivates a better sense of self-understanding and acceptance.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy serves as a guiding light to teens and adolescents when facing life challenges. From equipping teenagers with tools to manage their mental health issues to enhancing their interpersonal skills and overall quality of life, the positive impacts of CBT as a therapeutic approach cannot be overstated.