Cognitive Brief Therapy

 

Cognitive brief therapy is based on the framework of cognitive psychotherapy. It is based on the idea that a person's thinking, emotions, body sensations and his/her own actions are all connected. A trained cognitive brief therapist and a client work together as equals. In therapy, the goal or goals of the work are determined and therapy proceeds in a goal-oriented way.

 

Brief therapy can offer help for many different mental health challenges and life situations in which the person him- or herself wants to change. It can be used to get help and tools for managing anxiety or stress, for example. It can also provide support to ease the symptoms of depression and help you find new perspectives on life. It can help you adjust to major life changes, such as a divorce or job loss, and also help alleviate symptoms caused by traumatic events. Therapy can help improve self-esteem and self-worth. Therapy can be an effective help, especially for limited goals and problems.

 

However, when coming to therapy, you don't always have to be sure of what's bothering you or what you want to change. The goal of the therapy is to identify the target or targets of the work and initiate a self-reflection process of change , in which the you work actively and independently under the guidance of the therapist. With the help of therapy, it is possible to change any thoughts or repeated actions perceived as harmful habits.

 

The following definition is borrowed from the website Valitseterapia.fi:

 

"What is brief therapy?

Brief therapy is psychosocial, confidential discussion help for various challenging situations of life, crises and self-development. Brief therapy is suitable for mental symptoms that have not yet become severe or chronic. It also acts as a preventive aid to promote mental well-being. Quick access to the therapy saves the customer's resources, and brief therapy does not require a separate diagnosis or a doctor's referral.

"Brief therapy is low-threshold conversational help for life's challenging situations - therapy for ordinary people."– Association of Brief Therapists

 

What brief therapy is NOT?

Brief therapy is not psychotherapy. If brief therapy is not a sufficient form of treatment for the client, the brief therapist will refer the client to a doctor or psychotherapist.

Brief therapy is not a healthcare service supervised by Valvira (The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, Finland).

Brief therapy as a single form of treatment is not suitable for serious mental health problems. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment.