Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of behavioral treatment that helps people see the difference between beliefs, thoughts and feelings, and free them from unhelpful patterns of behavior.
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.
Cognitive behavioral therapy will help the therapist and the client to look at ideas and practices and make changes or adjustments to fit the client’s lifestyle. Addiction is an active part of a person’s life, it controls and dictates what the person does. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps to bring light to cognitions that an individual may wish to change, but is having a hard time doing so.
Research shows positive outcomes with therapists that have used some form of CBT that practice in substance abuse and addiction counseling. In the field of treatment with drug addiction CBT is the therapeutic process to go to. In a study it was found that 66 percent of treatment facilities that help with admission use CBT most of the time if not always.
CBT can help with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance dependency
- Persistent pain
- Disordered eating
- Sexual issues
- 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’ll 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:
- Journalling
- Challenging beliefs
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Social, physical and thinking exercises
Cognitive behavioral therapy is much more than sitting and talking about whatever comes to mind during a session. CBT sessions are structured to ensure that the therapist and the person in treatment are focused on the different goals of each session, 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.
