If you’ve been trying to find a resource to help you deal with your thoughts and feelings, chances are you’ve come across cognitive behavioral therapy as a possible solution. However, with so many options and different therapies available, it can be difficult and overwhelming to figure out which path is best for you and your mental health needs. Remember, no matter which route you choose, one of the most important aspects to consider is the relationship with your therapist and making sure you feel heard and safe.
As a center in Colorado Springs providing cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, memory care, and brain integration, A Cognitive Connection is here to help you determine if cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is suitable for you. We understand the difficulty of choosing between the different types of therapy available, and we hope to help make that decision as simple as possible. However, it’s important to realize you’re not alone if you’ve asked yourself, “Do I need cognitive behavioral therapy?”. So, please continue reading to learn more about CBT and determine if it’s right for you!
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is a form of psychotherapeutic treatment that emphasizes addressing thought patterns that negatively impact you and your quality of life. Your thoughts directly influence your feelings, moods, behaviors, and demeanor, so CBT focuses on making sure your thought patterns are positive.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps create long-term solutions to common mental health concerns, including addiction, anger issues, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, panic attacks, personality disorders, and phobias. CBT can also be a great form of short-term treatment for various life hurdles. Whether you’re going through a break-up, managing chronic pain, dealing with insomnia, experiencing low self-esteem, failing to manage your stress, or navigating grief, CBT can provide the tools you need to move through these life transitions successfully.
Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The basis of cognitive behavioral therapy is that when people spend time in harmful or destructive thought patterns, it directly impacts their behavior. For example, if an individual constantly has thoughts about food, what to eat, their diet, “bad” foods, and calorie intake, they are more likely to develop disordered eating.
The goal of CBT therapy sessions is not to change the entire world around you but to replace the harmful and destructive thoughts with tools you can use to control how you interact with the world. This treatment is effective because it gives patients tools they can use for the rest of their lives.
Some key benefits of CBT include:
- An affordable treatment option.
- It is effective in both face-to-face and online sessions.
- It’s shown to be an effective short-term treatment option with success in as little as 5 to 20 sessions.
- Therapists can use it for a variety of maladaptive behaviors.
- Treatment helps individuals develop self-esteem.
- It fosters a more rational thought pattern.
Who Provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Those who provide cognitive behavioral therapy fall under the umbrella of psychotherapists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurses, and other licensed professionals with mental health training.
With so many different providers to choose from, finding the right CBT therapist is key to getting the most out of your treatment. Remember, the most important thing when choosing a provider is to make sure you have a strong connection with them and feel they provide you with a safe environment. In addition, you need to be able to trust your provider, open up to them about your thoughts, and implement their advice.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques
During your time in cognitive behavioral therapy, your provider may utilize different techniques depending on what type of negative thought patterns you are experiencing. In addition, your therapist may use one or multiple techniques for your treatment.
- Cognitive Restructuring or Reframing
- This method looks at your negative thought pattern, identifies it, then reframes the pattern with positive intentions.
- Guided Discovery
- Your provider will put themselves in your viewpoint, allowing you to have an outside look into your destructive patterns. This technique broadens your thought patterns and challenges your beliefs.
- Exposure Therapy
- Fears and phobias may lead your provider to utilize this method to slowly expose you to what sparks your anxiety and provide you with tools to cope with those emotions.
- Journaling
- In between your sessions, your therapist may ask you to journal your negative thoughts and provide positive alternatives.
Remember, this is not an exclusive list of the different types of CBT techniques that could be used within your sessions but allows for a clearer picture of what to expect.
Explore Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With The Team At A Cognitive ConnectionTime To Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
If you are ready to overcome your harmful and destructive thought patterns and live a more balanced life, A Cognitive Connection is here to help. Our compassionate professionals will utilize their training and resources to ensure you have the tools you need to live a fulfilling life and approach difficult situations with a more positive mindset. Please schedule a free consultation if you’d like to learn more about our CBT services!
