Staying on track for mental wellness is not an easy road. At D’Amore Healthcare, we provide Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps treat a number of mental health conditions. This therapy technique is debatably the current gold standard of psychotherapy.
The principle behind cognitive behavioral therapy comes down to the way we think, feel, and behave, are all related. These three elements are significant to your mental health. CBT provides the skills you need to bring peace and wellness back into your life.
Our professional staff at D’Amore Healthcare specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. We create customized treatment plans tailored to your specific problems and needs. We also analyze and take into consideration your entire medical and psychological history. Receive cognitive behavioral therapy treatment in Orange County to strengthen your emotional and behavioral health, and overcome any mental conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, combines two therapeutic techniques, known as cognitive and behavior therapy. CBT is based on identifying and changing destructive thought patterns that negatively influence behavior. This type of therapy helps a person understand how thoughts and actions affect the way one feels. CBT sessions focus on current problems and solutions, unlike traditional therapies that bring up past issues.
Negative beliefs and attitudes can worsen emotional difficulties, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. This goal-oriented therapy teaches a person to build new habits that can positively change their feelings and behavior. Thoughts are challenged and replaced with more realistic views, so that positive, healthy behavior can follow.
The length of therapy is different for everyone, but it is generally considered short-term therapy. Therapy sessions range from around 10 to 20 sessions, with the appropriate amount determined by the therapist.
Some factors that may consider the proper length of therapy include:
There is almost nothing to lose by receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, but it certainly can be challenging. A person may feel intense emotions and uncomfortable at times from exploring current painful experiences. Feeling physically drained from crying or becoming angry is a possibility.
A type of CBT called exposure therapy might involve a person to confront their fears that they would rather avoid. This can also cause temporary stress or anxiety. Regardless, having a skilled therapist will help a person minimize any possible risks. The coping skills learned in CBT enables a person to manage and conquer their negative emotions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can address a range of mental health issues. These therapy sessions are very structured and take place with a therapist and the person with the condition. In some instances, CBT can be most effective when combined with antidepressants or other medications.
People often have thoughts or feelings that reinforce or increase false beliefs. These faulty beliefs result in problematic behaviors. In return, these destructive behaviors can affect areas in life such as relationships, work, and academics.
Recognizing the power in how thoughts, feelings, and situations contribute to unfit behaviors is essential in CBT. This part requires hard work and is especially difficult for people who struggle with introspection. Identifying negative thoughts can lead to new insights and self-discovery, which is essential to this treatment process.
New skills learned through cognitive behavioral therapy treatment are great to use in real-world situations. For instance, a person who is depressed and holds depressive thoughts may withdraw from their favorite hobbies and friends. That person may potentially insert themselves into social situations to help with the depressive thoughts and loneliness.
Setting goals is another major step in recovery from a mental disorder and improving a person’s daily life. Goal-setting can be done with the help of a CBT therapist. A person learns how to identify a goal and distinguish short-term, long-term, and SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based) goals. A person will focus on the process of goal setting, as much as the desired outcome.
Problem solving skills can help a person recognize and find solutions to problems that emerge from life stressors. For big or small stressors, these skills can reduce the negative impact of psychological and physical mental illness. CBT problem solving usually involves these five steps:
Self-monitoring or “diary work” usually involves keeping track of the process. This is when a person’s behaviors, symptoms, and experiences over time are shared with the therapist. A person should find a therapist that they trust to build rapport with and share these life details. The self-monitor process gives the therapist the information they need to provide the best type of treatment. For example, if a person has an eating disorder, self-monitoring might involve keeping track of food and eating habits. Also, along with any feelings that were happening while consuming that meal or snack.
It is important to keep in mind that CBT is a gradual process for behavior change. A person takes incremental steps to change their mindset and behavior. For instance, a person has social anxiety by just thinking about provoking social events. They should start practicing social conversations with friends and family members and implement them in the real world. When a person practices towards their goal, the process of behavior change becomes easier to achieve.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people develop alternative thinking and behavior methods, which in return decrease their psychological stress. Participating in strategies that question, correct, and conquer fake and distressing beliefs is what makes this therapy successful.
CBT is the first-line of treatment for many mental health conditions that we treat at D’Amore Healthcare. Our inpatient mental health facility offers 24-hour care for treating a wide range of conditions. From anxiety, depression, to PTSD, and more, we have the treatment program for you. Our licensed staff can help you identify goals, evaluate automatic thoughts, and achieve mental wellness to live a better life.
Don’t let mental health issues and disordered thinking get in the way of living your best life. Give us a call today if you or a loved one could benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy.
