Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in Charlotte NC
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of psychological treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Theraphy helps people see the difference between beliefs, thoughts and feelings, and free them from unhelpful patterns of behavior and thinking. CBT has been shown to be effective for many ailments, and has been scientifically proven to result in scalable improvements in the quality of life of those individuals who have participated in it.
Faulty Ways of Thinking and Negative Behaviors are the Basis of Psychological Issues.
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 change these ways of thinking and behaviors by addressing those faulty thinking patterns.
CBT can be used in the treatment of:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Substance dependency
- Persistent pain
- Disordered eating
- Sexual issues
- Anger management issues
CBT helps by working with the individual to change their ways of thinking. Easier said than done, right? While many people recognize that the thoughts they have or the behaviors they display are not essential to a healthy lifestyle, they also recognize how difficult it can be to simply stop those unhealthy thoughts or behaviors. This is where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a licensed professional can help.
Because being open about one’s beliefs, thoughts, and feelings is critical to the success of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Montgomery Counseling Group has created a safe and inviting environment for individuals struggling with mental health issues to feel at ease in, which allows those involved (both patient and therapist) to achieve the highest level of treatment available.
While some therapies work by focusing on an individual’s past, CBT focuses on the individual’s present. By focusing on how the person feels and thinks in the present, CBT is able to pinpoint unhealthy thinking habits and work to change those habits. In doing so, the individual will learn to recognize when a destructive thought comes to them, be able to modify that destructive thought, and create a more positive thought in its place by taking into consideration different vantage points. This will create more positive mannerisms in place of negative, unhealthy mannerisms, and ultimately help to reduce the symptoms of mental health issues that the individual experiences.
CBT has been proven to benefit people of all ages, from pre-adolescents to elderly. CBT is also effective when used in individual therapy as well as in group therapy. Your mental health professional will be able to tell you which may be more suitable for you, or if you may benefit from a combination of both individual and group therapies.
How Long Does CBT Last?
CBT does not work overnight. On average, an individual attends 10 – 20 sessions of CBT. The exact length of each person’s individualized plan is determined by the overall severity of the person’s symptoms and condition, with each weekly session of CBT lasting roughly 30 – 60 minutes.
Although the above mentioned timeframes are average, your therapist will discuss with you how long your treatment is scheduled to last. The length of treatment will be discussed again during the course of treatment, based on progress. The end of CBT is marked by the patient meeting the goals that were established between therapist and patient.
How Does CBT Work?
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 person in treatment are focused on the different goals of each session, which in turn ensures that each and every session is productive.
There are several techniques used in the process of cognitive reconstructing, which is the adjustment process that directly influences a person’s emotions and behavior.
Some CBT techniques are:
- Journalling – the process of writing your thoughts and feelings down
- Challenging beliefs – noticing negative thought / belief patterns, examining the origin of those patterns, and challenging the truth of those patterns.
- Relaxation – there are several methods of relaxation, including deep breathing methods, aromatherapy, and music / art
- Meditation – meditation is the practice of focused concentration
- Mindfulness – becoming more aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions
- Social, physical and thinking exercises are also used in CBT