Why CBT Therapy Is Right for You

If you’ve been looking into therapy, or have friends or family members who have participated in counseling, you may already know that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, otherwise known as CBT, is a popular type of therapy. What you may be surprised to discover, however, is that CBT is one of the most effective and efficient behavioral therapies available. So what’s the big deal?

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT has helped many people struggling with a variety of mental health disorders reevaluate their situations and thoughts and face struggles in their lives with a more positive outlook. The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy theory suggests that our thoughts are the cause of our feelings and our feelings affect how we behave. If we change how we think, we can change how we feel, thus changing how we react and handle outside forces (for example, situations that may typically cause you stress or sadness.) 

Typically, CBT treatment sessions range from five to 20 sessions, compared to other types of therapies that may take months to years of treatment. Sounds good right?

What does CBT treat?

While CBT therapy can be used to treat many mental health conditions,  CBT is most effective at treating those who suffer from:

• Substance use disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Stress (in general)
• Chronic pain and fatigue
• Psychotic disorders

That being said, CBT is an effective treatment approach for anyone struggling, whether or not from a mental disorder.

How exactly does CBT benefit me?

So glad you asked! Here’s a quick run down (but not exhaustive list) of how exactly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can benefit you. 

• CBT helps establish rational thought processes over negative thought patterns. (Ex. Instead of thinking “I’m going to look ridiculous at this function–I’m not meant to be here” CBT helps you challenge and change thoughts like these to “I’m going to look forward to this outing, mingle with friends, and maybe even meet new people.”)
• CBT helps you manage your stress and anxiety. Therapy techniques in CBT ask you to slow down and evaluate your thought patterns, encouraging you to list pros and cons of situations, and reasonable possible outcomes.
• CBT assists with replacing harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse with more constructive coping mechanisms, like journaling, cognitive restructuring, relaxed breathing and graduated exposure to things that typically cause you anxiety (exposure therapy.) 

What’s the best way to see if CBT is right for you?

Quite simply, talk to your therapist!

By talking with a licensed therapist, you can discuss whether or not Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is best for you. For example, for some people, they may want to delve further into their life stories, relationships and memories to explore their struggles. In this case, CBT may not be the best therapy treatment, as it’s more direct and focused on changing thought processes that are occurring in the here and now.

On the flip side, if you are looking to apply cognitive tools and techniques to change your behavior and how you think (which can greatly impact your life,) and get quick results, then CBT may be perfect for you.

If you’re a Florida resident, I’d love the opportunity to explore the benefits of CBT more with you and answer any of your questions. Today is the day to get started!