Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral therapy is a deep dive into the habit loops that habitually reinforce our behaviors by mapping our or automatic thoughts and behaviors that triggered the behavior in order to make change. CBT is considered to be a bit more concrete in the sense that we will create some specific tools and skills to make changes to our behaviors. Some techniques include cognitive reframing, relaxation exercises, mindfulness, habit loop mapping, mantras, positive thinking practices, journaling and assertiveness training helps to retrain your automatic reactions and thoughts that occur on an unconscious level. By gaining awareness into your automatic thoughts, feelings and behaviors we create space to then chose to throw your full weight in another direction to make change. Even small changes in your daily life will have a compound interest in the long run.
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. Our beliefs shape or reality not the other way around.
CBT can help with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Post-traumatic 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.