According to author Kendra Cherry, “professional counseling is an application of mental health, psychological, or developmental principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral, or systemic intervention strategies , which address well-being, personal growth or career development” (Cherry – Paraphrase). Many counselors specialize in specific forms of therapy. Typically, counselors who focus on specific types of counseling methods usually require advanced knowledge in the specific field. Counseling can be described as the guidance of an individual using psychological methods, particularly in collecting background information, using various personal interview techniques and testing interests as well as aptitude. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used psychotherapeutic treatment methods. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat many types of disorders. Some of the common disorders that can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy are depression, phobias, anxiety as well as addictions. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients deal with a specific problem. During treatment, a patient will potentially learn to identify destructive behavior in themselves. In the long term, a patient will learn to change thought patterns that lead to destructive behavior. Cognitive behavioral therapy has some basic concepts. One of the concepts behind cognitive behavioral therapy is that a person's thoughts and feelings have a significant effect on their behavior. For example, if a person thinks a lot about plane crashes, train crashes, or car crashes, then they may have...... middle of paper ...... structured processing combining elements of the cognitive and behavioral therapeutic approaches used. changing a person's thought processes and behaviors for the better. With time and practice, cognitive behavioral therapy can create a paradigm shift in a person's thinking as well as their actions and behaviors. Works Cited British Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapies. “What is CBT?” » January 1, 2005. babcp.com. Electronic PDF. December 16, 2011.Cherry, Kendra. About.com Psychology: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? August 2, 2010. Electronic. December 15, 2011. Dobson, Keith S and David JA Dozois. “Historical and philosophical bases of cognitive-behavioral therapies.” Dobson, Keith S. Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies; Second edition. New York: Guilford Press, 2001. 3-39. ISBN 1-57230-6011-7.