Cognitive behavioral therapy or psychoanalysis: what they are for and how to choose

The people who decide to go to psychologist Not always aware that in the profession there are different lines of work that carry out consultancy for which a patient arrives can be approached differently.

The two aspects that have the most followers in this part of the world are Psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy, also called CBT. While they have commonalities, each has their own way of dealing with mental health issues.

Psychoanalysis is an approach to psychological therapy based on the theory of Sigmund Freud, Austrian neurologist born in 1865 and died in 1939.

It focuses on the study of unconscious behavior patterns and its main goal is to help people understand and control your emotions, thoughts and actions through the exploration of your memories, dreams, fantasies and experiences.

Treatment in psychoanalysis, according to the International Psychoanalytic Association founded by Freud, allows the patient a greater understanding of himself and the factors that contribute to his condition. mood and behavior.

It is with the help of the professional that the psychoanalyzed person can acquire new knowledge about the unconscious part where hide your conflict. This treatment provides relief from psychological pain, promotes personal development and improves overall self-awareness.

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment that has many followers in our country, Europe and Europe United States of America and is focused on the present.

His approach aims to change patterns of thought and behavior. THE CBT One of its foundations is learning different skills to identify situations that could contribute to mental health problems.

And it’s also about changing thoughts and behaviors, which can lead to a better understanding of emotions.

Therapists use techniques such as exposure, relaxation, cognitive restructuring, or social skills training to help patients develop better coping strategies or manage certain problems. symptomatology.

Similarities and differences

Both approaches, e.g. psychoanalysis and CBTare characterized by the search for understanding and control of thoughts, emotions and behaviors, as well as the identification of patterns that contribute to mental health problems.

However, there are some important differences between the two aspects, one of which is the approach. Psychoanalysis focuses more on the past, while CBT is based on the present.

Another variant is the treatment time. Psychoanalysis usually takes a long-term view, while cognitive behavioral therapy aims more at a long-term perspective. short-term treatment and focused on the specific problem.

If one were to summarize the differences in general terms, one might say that psychoanalysis focuses on understanding the individual’s unconscious patterns thinking and behaviorwhile cognitive behavioral therapy does this by changing thoughts and behaviors.