Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy deals with Thought, Emotions, and Behaviors. Most people think that an event or a situation causes you to feel a certain way (certain emotion). This is False! An Event or Situation does NOT cause an emotion BUT it is your thoughts/views about the event or situation that causes the emotion.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an active, direct, short-term, structured approach to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, phobias, pain, etc). It is based on the premise that an individual’s affect (emotions) and behaviors are determined by the way in which one structures the world. Ones thoughts are based on attitudes or assumptions, developed from previous experiences. For example, if an individual interprets all experiences in terms of whether one is competent and adequate, their thinking may be dominated by such self-statements as “Unless I do everything perfectly, I’m a failure.”
Specific techniques of CBT are designed to identify, reality-test, and correct distorted conceptualizations and the dysfunctional beliefs underlying these thoughts. CBT teaches the individual to master problems and situations which were previously considered insurmountable by reevaluating and correcting one’s thinking. The CBT therapist assists the client to think and act more realistically and rationally about one’s psychological problems and thus reduces unpleasant feelings and behaviors.
Therapy consists of highly specific learning experiences designed to teach the client the following functions:
- to monitor negative, automatic thoughts (thoughts that we are not even aware of)
- to recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- to examine the evidence for and against distorted thoughts
- to substitute more reality-oriented interpretations for these biased thoughts
- to learn to identify and alter the dysfunctional beliefs which predispose one to distort one’s experiences
CBT focuses on the “here-and-now”. The CBT therapist actively collaborates with the client in exploring one’s psychological experiences, setting up schedules of activities, and making homework assignments.
CBT has an emphasis on the client’s internal experiences, such as thoughts, feelings, wishes, daydreams, and attitudes. The overall strategy of CBT may be different from other therapy by its emphasis on the empirical investigation of the client’s automatic thoughts, inferences, conclusions, and assumptions. CBT therapists formulates the client’s dysfunctional idea and belief about oneself, one’s experiences, and one’s future into hypotheses and then attempt to test the validity of these faulty thoughts/assumptions and ultimately restructure the thoughts in a more logical and rational way.
Often times our thoughts about a situation are exaggerative, dramatic or distorted – they are emotional in nature! I will teach you specific techniques how to restructure your thoughts to create more rational and logical perceptions and remove the emotional content out. This will decrease the inappropriate intensity of the emotional state (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger, panic etc.). I will also assist you in decreasing unhealthy behaviors while increasing healthy behaviors. Thus, by changing the way you think and behave you will eliminate the unpleasant emotions, learn how to take control of situations, increase confidence in your ability to handle events and develop a sense of mastery in your life.
96% Success Rate
I have had a 96% success rate in teaching my patients CBT. The only reason why it is not 100% is because (4) patients stopped therapy for they chose to give in to their issues (OCD, anxiety, depression, etc.) rather than do the work to resolve their issues for good. Six months to one year later these patients called me back to return to therapy and complete their therapy.
Everyone can utilize the techniques that I have created to be successful and live a more productive life. Like anything – if you are disciplined and consistent you will achieve your goals!