Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a therapeutic approach in which the individual explores their thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how each of these impacts the other.  When these cycles of events are explored, the therapist and individual can uncover unhelpful patterns of behavior and break the cycle.

CBT is grounded in the belief that it is a person’s perception of events – rather than the events themselves – that determines how he or she will feel and act in response.

CBT can help with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance dependency
• Persistent pain
• Disordered eating
• Sexual issues
• Anger management issues

Most people with clearly defined behavioral and emotional concerns tend to reap the benefits of CBT.  With 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 include:

• Journaling
• Challenging beliefs
• Relaxation
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Social, physical and thinking exercises

Cognitive behavioral therapy is much more than sitting and talking about whatever comes to mind during a session. CBT sessions are structured to ensure that the therapist and the individual are focused on the different goals of each session, which in turn ensures that each and every session is productive.

If you or someone you know would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.