The clinician supports the clients but does not need to accompany them in their assignments. Cognitive therapy Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that how you think largely determines the way you feel. Cognitive therapy teaches the individual to recognise and challenge upsetting thoughts. Learning to challenge negative or fear-inducing thoughts helps people think more realistically and feel better. Patients are given homework assignments.
Cognitive therapy is more complex than positive thinking.
It is usually given in fifty minute sessions over 10-15 weeks. This is a structured treatment combining elements of cognitive and behavioural therapy approaches, used to change a patient's thought processes and behaviour in order to bring about relief of symptoms or other practical objectives agreed by the patient. The range of techniques used includes challenging irrational beliefs, replacing the irrational beliefs with alternative ones, thought stopping, exposure, assertiveness and social skills training. Patients are given homework assignments. This is a form of counselling, usually used for people with severe mental illness who are reluctant to take medication.