Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT steps in where insight is not enough or does not produce desired changes as fast as needed. At the heart of CBT is the concept that our thoughts or the meaning that we make of external events call up our feelings which in turn inform our actions or behavior. Our actions or behavior then have consequences positive or negative. Learning this very simple principle allows you to feel more in control of your life.
In addition, as part of CBT numerous coping skills and strategies have been developed, studied and proven to be very effective. In my practice I emphasize the relational aspect of teaching coping skills. This means that I don't just describe the skill, we look together at whether it might fit your needs, style or temperament and we remain open to exploring how the application is working and if any adjustments need to be made.
CBT coping skills can help with and are tailored toward:
- 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
With the use of 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
CBT is also akin to coaching. Working together you can expect for me to explain CBT principals and guide you in their application to your specific circumstances. As part of that process we may identify patterns of thinking which are not helpful or even harmful and help you learn how to effectively protect yourself from them.
If you or someone you know would benefit from the use of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.