Not all therapy is the same or equally effective. CBT is one of the most researched and evidence-based therapeutic approaches and has been proven to effectively treat many mental health concerns including ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma. Our thoughts, behaviors, physiological states, and emotions are constantly influencing each other. Therefore, by making a change in areas we have more control - our thoughts, behaviors, and physiological states - we can facilitate changing our emotions, the area we typically struggle the most and over which we have least control. Such alterations lead to enduring improvement in mood and functioning.
In CBT, clinicians collaborate with clients to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress, develop healthy coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and cultivate problem-solving skills. This style of treatment is short-term, goal-oriented, and solution-focused. You will also learn the theory behind your treatment and the scientifically-backed techniques we use to treat symptoms. This is important, as the ultimate goal is to make you your own therapist so you can handle psychological, interpersonal, and situational distress on your own long after treatment concludes.
During cognitive restructuring, clinicians guide clients in identifying and analyzing distressing thought patterns. When we find distressing thoughts and beliefs to be inaccurate, clinicians collaborate with clients to identify more realistic beliefs, which are often less distressing and foster improved mood. As a part of cognitive restructuring, clinicians teach clients to identify common types of thought fallacies through a process of Socratic questioning, to help the client develop the skill to evaluate their thought patterns and their influence on their behaviors and emotions, which then can be used even after treatment concludes.
It's normal to want to avoid pain, including painful emotions. The problem is that when we avoid our negative emotions, they get more intense and frequent. Luckily, the opposite is also true. When we approach our strong emotions, rather than avoid them, the negative thoughts and emotions tend to decrease in intensity and frequency. In exposure therapy, the clinician and client collaborate to create a plan for the client to purposefully, gradually, and repeatedly engage feared objects or situations, within a safe environment. Clinicians are there to motivate and encourage clients throughout these exposures. Exposure therapy reduces clients' fears and negative emotions, increases their tolerance for anxiety and distress, and alters unhelpful beliefs and thoughts around feared objects or situations.
Mindfulness is a natural state of being where we are focused on the present moment in a non-judgmental and accepting manner. This can include focus on our environment, thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, or tasks. When we are mindful, we naturally become less emotionally and physically reactive and are less likely to feel overwhelmed. The pressures of modern living, particularly for those who are prone to anxiety and depression, can lead us to dwell on the past and future rather than the present. When we focus on the past we often think about what went wrong, and when we focus on the future we often think about what can go wrong and how to prevent it. By practicing mindfulness, we can reset the balance of present vs. past/future focus. Mindfulness helps treat psychological disorders, improves mood, and reduces anxiety and rumination.
We are constantly communicating verbally and non-verbally. People may find themselves communicating ineffectively in one or more situations. This often can prevent us from getting our needs met or leave us feeling misunderstood. In treatment, clinicians will determine more helpful ways of communicating, both verbally and non-verbally, to increase the odds of achieving your desired outcome. If lack of assertiveness is an issue, this will also be addressed.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Assessment Associates
