Understanding cognitive-behavioral therapy is one way to see just how effective talk therapy can be in addressing not just substance use disorder but mental health issues. The great advantage of cognitive-behavioral therapy is how it promotes positive, realistic thinking encouraging healthy behavior. As it isolates negative thinking patterns and the habits that spring from them causing individuals to engage in risky actions, patients learn how to alter their behavior. By focusing on identifying, challenging, and eliminating negative thinking, cognitive-behavioral therapy gives patients the skills to move towards positive, healthy actions. Further, patients learn how to keep this process going whenever negative thinking arises giving them the best chance for lasting recovery. Thus, at Integrative Life Center we fold CBT talk therapy into many of our programs giving patients the best chance possible of making a lasting recovery.
What is Cognitive-behavioral Therapy in Nashville?
Our cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions are when our clients and their primary therapist work together to identify harmful patterns of thinking or behaviors. They discuss what impact these behaviors have on their well being and set goals to create healthier habits. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that treats problems and encourages happiness by adjusting dysfunctional emotions, thoughts, and actions. By focusing on solutions, patients are encouraged to confront distorted thoughts and change unhealthy behavior patterns. The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and their clients is a top priority when using cognitive-behavioral therapy. The client/therapist relationship must be a working connection.
When patients enter into cognitive-behavioral therapy with their counselor or therapist they learn how best to manage stress as well as grief and trauma, whether it’s past or occurring in the present. Often, doing so allows individuals to see how their past trauma has influenced their substance abuse. If patients are struggling with mental health issues like anxiety disorders, being able to not just cope but actively manage their symptoms and deal with triggers becomes very useful in healing.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy provides patients with the tools they need to prevent relapse but when relapse occurs, these same tools can be used to get back on the right track. By learning how to identify their problems, patterns, and triggers, they can not only use their coping methods but turn to their support network without fear or shame.
How CBT Is Used
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a useful tool to address emotional challenges. For instance, CBT is effective in managing symptoms of mental illness, preventing relapse of mental illness symptoms, identifying ways to manage emotions, coping with grief or loss, identifying ways to manage emotions, and resolving relationship conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can also be part of a treatment plan for Mental Health disorders, including but not limited to: sleep disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, OCD, and eating disorders.
Understanding Cognitive-behavioral Therapy
CBT sessions can be done in individual sessions, in sessions with family members, or in a group session with other people who are struggling with similar issues. In the first session, patients will learn more about their mental health condition, and then learn and practice techniques to cope with their condition. These techniques include resilience, coping, stress management, and relaxation.
Typically there are four steps or stages when a patient and therapist or counselor enter into cognitive-behavioral therapy:
- Identify troubling situations or problems in your life.
- Become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs concerning these problems.
- Identify negative or inaccurate thinking.
- Reshape negative or inaccurate thinking.
Integrative Life Center
If you are ready to begin your healing process, contact us today at [Direct]. Our compassionate and experienced staff can answer your questions and guide you through the numerous programs we offer. For example, we provide telehealth services as well as
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Aftercare
So reach out to learn more about our programs or take a tour of our residences or treatment facilities.
