CBT Therapy
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
The stressors of daily life can make every day feel like a struggle. Often, the way we respond to certain situations triggers an internal response we are unaware of. Because our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are so closely connected, we may become anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed without understanding the underlying reasons why or knowing what we can do about it.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used, evidence-based psychotherapy approach focusing on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT therapy is grounded in the idea that our thoughts—also known as cognitions—and interpretations of events significantly influence how we feel emotionally, which in turn affects how we behave.
By learning effective tools that can help us better recognize how our thought patterns affect feelings and behavior, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (ADHD).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Gives You Tangible Tools To Change Thoughts, Feelings, And Behaviors
CBT treatment begins with goal setting. Working collaboratively with your therapist, you will pinpoint whatever issues you want to focus on and potentially change. We will also incorporate psychoeducation that explains the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how this connection not only affects your mood but can also impact your physical health.
Once negative thought patterns have been identified, your therapist will teach you CBT-based skills, exercises, and techniques to break free from unhealthy beliefs that influence your self-image and impression of the world.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy takes an active approach that can be utilized throughout your daily life. Your therapist will assign CBT homework that you can practice in between sessions. The skills you learn in therapy can be applied to thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that arise in real time, offering immediate relief to the adverse symptoms you may be experiencing.
Some examples of CBT therapy tools include journaling and thought logs, nightmare exposure and rescripting, relaxed breathing, playing out worst-case scenarios to the end, unraveling cognitive distortions, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and exposure therapy. Mastering these skills outside of sessions empowers you to achieve lasting positive change that can improve your self-esteem and overall outlook.
Who Can Benefit From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
We offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to clients of all ages, including children ages 8 and above, adolescents, and adults. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective therapy for several mental health disorders—including generalized and social anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and relationship problems—as well as address substance use, chronic pain, and insomnia.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy is widely credited to Drs. Aaron Beck’s and Albert Ellis’ work was in the 1960s, but its foundation can be linked to earlier concepts of behaviorism and learning theory. Its widespread use globally can be attributed to its evidence-based approach, which emphasizes the experimental method and validates its effectiveness through extensive scientific research and study.
Over the decades, CBT counseling has become one of the most widely used therapeutic approaches, applied to a broad range of mental health conditions across diverse cultural and geographic settings. Its universal applicability and demonstrated effectiveness have contributed to its prominence in psychotherapy. Today, CBT therapy is considered "the gold standard for the psychotherapeutic treatment of many or even most mental disorders." A meta-analysis review conducted in 2012 showed that, "In general, the evidence-base of CBT is very strong, especially for treating anxiety disorders."
Our Background In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Each therapist at True Talk has a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and is well-versed in the principles and applications of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT therapy is our preferred modality due to its evidence-based results and hands-on approach, which encourages clients to apply what they learn in sessions with their counselor to real-life scenarios.
Over the years, we have witnessed first-hand how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has worked wonders with our clients. We feel confident in using CBT because it has been proven to be an effective and straightforward treatment for the issues so many of us contend with throughout our lives. Some of the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy include:
Understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and silencing our inner critics
Providing hands-on coping and problem-solving skills that change behaviors and mitigate anxiety and stress
Improving self-monitoring and awareness to avoid getting stuck in negative thought patterns
Enhancing self-efficacy and empowerment
We love Cognitive Behavioral treatment because it equips our clients with specific tools they can use outside counseling sessions, helping them become self-reliant in achieving mental wellness. Providing homework not only helps track progress and helps clients focus on specific goals but it also gives them a higher likelihood for success. By offering measurable growth as well as tools, applications, and concepts that are proven effective, CBT therapy can be life-changing.
If you are struggling to understand why you feel anxious or depressed, it can be an isolating experience. However, with proper treatment backed up by research, effective solutions are available. By incorporating CBT treatment into therapy, your counselor will give you the skills necessary to become your own therapist.
Find Out How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help You
The counselors at True Talk are eager to show you how CBT therapy can improve your quality of life. To get started, you can email us, use the contact form, or call 929-404-3002 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation.
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