Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is grounded in the belief that it is a person’s perception of events – rather than the events themselves – that determines how he or she will feel and act in response. As an intervention CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of treatment that typically lasts 12 to 16 weeks. CBT helps people see the difference between beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, and free them from unhelpful patterns of behavior.
Through CBT treatement the client will learn to understand and alter the thoughts and behaviors that are impacting their well-being. Treatment focuses on identifying maladaptive thought patterns and replacing them with more flexible and realistic ways of thinking. CBT treatment also involves changing problematic behavioral patterns through behaviorism techniques. In treatment the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify goals and strategies for moving forward in a more adaptive and effective way.
CBT can help with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance dependency
- Disordered eating
- Anger management issues
Most people with clearly defined behavioral and emotional concerns tend to reap the benefits of CBT. If any of the above issues resonate with you, I encourage you to try cognitive behavioral therapy.
With CBT, you will be able to adjust the thoughts that directly influence your emotions and behavior. This adjustment process is referred to as cognitive reconstructing, which happens through different CBT techniques.
Some CBT techniques are:
- Challenging thoughts and beliefs
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Social, physical, and thinking exercises
- Journal entries and goal setting
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is much more than sitting and talking about whatever comes to mind during a session. CBT sessions are structured to ensure the therapist and patient are focused on goals, which in turn ensures that each and every session is productive.
If you or someone you know would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.