Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of therapy that can help free you from unhelpful patterns of thoughts and behavior.
Rather than passively and endlessly talking about your problems, CBT directly identifies maladaptive behaviors and attitudes so you can quickly change them. By practicing new behaviors, cultivating mindfulness and integrating more flexible thinking, CBT provides skills that help reduce stress and build resilience.
This approach is collaborative, goal oriented and very practical, focusing on the "here and now" and more immediate change.
CBT can help with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance Abuse
- Persistent pain
- Disordered eating
- Sexual issues
- Anger management issues
Tools and Techniques:
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction-practices that foster present moment awareness, calm and resilience.
- Cognitive Restructuring- identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and learning to replace them with more balanced perspectives.
- Cognitive Defusion- learning to step back from thoughts and see them as fleeting rather than permanent and absolute truths.
- Exposure Therapy- gradually and safely confronting feared situations or thoughts to reduce avoidance and anxiety. This is especially critical in treatment of OCD and phobias.
- Relaxation Training- using breathing techniques, muscle relaxation, meditation and or guided imagery to lower physiological stress.
- Self-Monitoring/Journaling- tracking thoughts, emotions and behaviors to recognize patterns and triggers.
- Social Skills Training- practicing assertiveness, communication, and conflict resolution in a safe space.
- Values Clarification- Discerning personal values to guide choices and provide meaning and motivation in life.
- Problem-Solving Skills- using structured approaches to break down challenges into manageable steps.
I have over 30 years of experience and extensive education in using CBT to help people eliminate distress and lead fuller and more productive lives. Please reach out and contact me directly to get the help you deserve.