What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (also known as CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, from depression to addiction. CBT courses are delivered through structured sessions with a psychotherapist. These sessions follow a plan over a specified course of sessions to help patients reach tangible healing goals.
CBT is also known as ‘talking therapy’ because its focus is on dialog. You talk about your thoughts and behaviors with a psychiatrist and identify negative patterns. At GIA Miami, our we’re ready to help identify what’s hindering you and help you begin healing.
How CBT Works
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (also known as CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, from depression to addiction. CBT courses are delivered through structured sessions with a psychotherapist. These sessions follow a plan over a specified course of sessions to help patients reach tangible healing goals.
CBT is also known as ‘talking therapy’ because its focus is on dialog. During sessions, our highly trained psychotherapists help you analyze your thoughts and behaviors to help you identify what is helping and hindering your healing process.
One of the best things about CBT is its versatility - it can be tailored according to your specific needs.
At GIA, you’ll be encouraged to talk about your feelings, thoughts, and what’s troubling you. You might find this difficult at first, but our therapists are here to help you feel more confident as time goes on. They’re all highly-qualified and totally impartial - you can open up without judgment.
Related: TMS Therapy
CBT uses a goal-based approach to focus on specific problems. During your time with us, you’ll notice where you’re hitting these targets and where you need additional help. We’re here to help you celebrate the triumphs and overcome the difficulties - it’s all part of the process.
History of CBT
The history of CBT stretches back to 1913 when American behaviorist John Watson made huge advances in the scientific study of human behavior. These advances were transformed into therapeutic practices through the 20th century.
Dr. Aaron Beck developed the modern techniques that we know today at the University of Pennsylvania by focusing on the origins of maladaptive thought processes. By completing a large number of studies on patients struggling with depression, Dr. Beck formulated a schema of common irrational thought patterns that lead to the mental health problem. This meta-analysis paved the way for the highly successful psychotherapy that is now the “gold standard” of therapeutic practice in America today.
Different Techniques in CBT
At GIA Miami, our therapists employ a range of different techniques available in CBT to help you overcome irrational or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that are causing you problems. These include:
- The ABC technique; understanding the activity event, the beliefs behind the negative thoughts relating to the event, and the consequences of those negative beliefs.
- Activity scheduling to help patients to reach behavioral goals, such as engaging in new hobbies.
- Structured journaling to build your awareness of cognitive distortions that are wired into your thinking patterns.
- Safe exposure to places, objects, or ideas that are causing fear and anxiety within the therapeutic setting.
Your therapist will assess your individual needs and create a tailored plan using a variety of these techniques to help you achieve mental wellness.
Core Steps in CBT
There are many different techniques that you can use in CBT, and your psychotherapist at GIA Miami will tailor your program to your individual needs. The program will follow these core steps:
- Identifying what is troubling you. Is it a specific situation? Is it a mental health condition? Your therapist will compassionately support you to identify what the exact problem is during this first stage.
- Growing awareness about your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions around what’s troubling you.
- Identifying irrational and unhelpful thought patterns.
- Reshaping your thought patterns to overcome your problem.
How Can CBT Improve Your Life
CBT is a clinically validated proven method for improving the physical and mental symptoms of mental health conditions and discomfort with the aid of a therapist.
CBT can help you to improve your life by:
- Developing your self-esteem
- Freeing you from unhealthy thought processes
- Helping you to overcome irrational fears
- Aiding your relaxation
- Developing rational thought processes
- Helping you to overcome mental illness such as anxiety, depression, and addiction
- Ridding you of maladaptive coping mechanisms
- Giving you lifelong self-help strategies
Problems Treated With CBT
GIA Miami employs CBT therapy to treat a range of different problems and mental health conditions.
All of our treatment is holistic - we combine different therapeutic modalities including dialectical behavioral therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation to maximize our patient’s chance of success.
GIA have seen incredibly positive results in using CBT to treat conditions including:
- Addiction
- Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression
Preparing To Begin A Course Of CBT
There are a few things that you can do to prepare for your course of CBT.
- Review your concerns. What problem or problems do you want to address? Your treatment team can also help with this process, but it can be helpful to jot down a few general ideas on paper before speaking to them.
- Understand the costs. You can pay for your CBT treatment at GIA Miami either privately, or using health insurance. Your therapist will be happy to discuss fees and payment plans with you.
- Get in touch! The most important first step in preparing to begin your CBT course is to call GIA Miami to discuss it. Our highly trained expert team are here to help you understand your options and create an effective, tailored treatment plan just for you.
