^Isn't DBT another thing? I...think it's based around CBT, but it's not the same thing. CBT is CBT in the united states too
As for it being stressful...it's just as stressful as you let it be. You take the steps. If you're afraid of snakes, you don't have to hug a snake on your first appointment
You'll gradually expose yourself more and more, and while it can be stressful...it doesn't have to be too stressful. If you see that you're not ready to make a step, you go back a bit and do something smaller until you feel you can take the next step.
That's just the behavioural part of the therapy too, you learn how to change "bad" thought patterns with the cognitive part, which will help you handle the behavioural part of the therapy. It's the combination of both things that is supposed to be effective.
So while "facing your fears" may sound very stressful...if done right, it shouldn't really have to be.
At least that's my understanding of the whole thing
I did CBT for a while, and I didn't have to do anything I didn't feel ready to do. My therapist wanted me to practice making phone calls, and we agreed that I would try to phone her once a week. While it was a little stressful, it did get easier.
So yeah...I think it's a good form of therapy, it could probably help a lot of people
