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, that address well-being, personal growth or career development” (Ciliegia - Paraphrase). Many counselors specialize in specific forms of therapy. In general, counselors who focus on specific types of counseling methods usually require advanced knowledge in the specific field. Counseling can be described as guiding an individual using psychological methods, particularly by gathering information about the case history, using various personal interview techniques, and testing interests and aptitudes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used methods of psychotherapeutic treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat many different types of disorders. Some of the most common disorders that can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy are depression, phobias, anxiety, and addictions. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients deal with a specific problem. During treatment, a patient will potentially learn how to identify destructive behavior within themselves. In the long term, a patient will learn how to change the thought patterns that lead to destructive behavior. There are some basic concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy. An underlying concept of 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 wrecks, or car accidents, then the person might benefit from... middle of paper... a structured treatment that combines elements of the cognitive and behavioral therapeutic approaches used to change for the better a person's mental processes and behaviors. With time and practice, cognitive behavioral therapy can create a paradigm shift in the thinking in a person's mind as well as in a person's actions and behaviors. “What is CBT?” 01 January 2005. babcp.com. Electronic PDF. December 16, 2011.Cherry, Kendra. About.com Psychology: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - What is cognitive behavioral therapy? 02 August 2010. Electronics. 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.