CBT Q&A

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? 

Though there are several types of CBT, they are all evidence-based psychotherapy interventions based on the principle that your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Your core beliefs, thoughts, and perceptions (cognitive processes) directly influence your feelings and behaviors.

Difficulties arise when your thoughts are unrealistic or distorted. Distorted thoughts can trigger negative emotional and behavioral reactions. CBT helps with thought challenging and teaches you to examine your thought patterns in context. This gives you time to adjust your thoughts, which then changes how you feel and, consequently, creates reactions that are appropriate and helpful. This process is referred to by psychotherapists as cognitive restructuring.

CBT can be particularly beneficial for children and adolescents struggling with mental health issues. Parent-guided CBT is a specialized approach that involves parents actively participating in their child's therapy sessions and learning strategies to support their child's progress at home. By incorporating CBT techniques into daily routines and interactions, parents can play a crucial role in their child's journey toward improved mental wellness.

What mental health conditions are treated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? 

Your mental health counselor at Whole Wellness Counseling may recommend CBT to treat many mental health disorders, including:

• Anxiety disorders

• Mood disorders

• Depressive disorder

• Insomnia

• Trauma

• Substance abuse

• Problems associated with Autism spectrum disorder

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Other psychiatric disorders

CBT is also a great way for parents to learn effective ways to help their children and reduce stress in the home. Our therapists can teach parents and caregivers the basics of CBT so that they can therapeutically support their children at home. Learn more about Parent-guided CBT here.

What are the different types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?   

CBT is itself an intervention used in mental health counseling and also an umbrella term encompassing other therapies based on the CBT approach, including: 

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT helps you learn skills for responding to strong emotions appropriately, communicating, and building relationships.  

• Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT): TF-CBT helps people confront and change negative thoughts and behaviors caused by trauma. 

• CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I): CBT-I focuses on teaching techniques that improve your ability to sleep, such as relaxation training and controlling negative thoughts.  

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT teaches you to identify difficult emotions and decide if you can take action to change them or if you must learn to accept them. The goal is to stop repeating negative patterns of behavior associated with these feelings. 

• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): REBT teaches you to identify and change self-defeating beliefs and thoughts.

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP is used to treat severe anxiety and OCD by gradually exposing you to the things that trigger your fears. 

What should I expect during Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is highly structured, typically limited to 12 to 24 sessions, and focuses on a behavior you want to improve. Each type of CBT-based therapy differs, but for classic CBT, you typically have cognitive behavioral therapy worksheets to complete between each appointment where you record and track specific things that happen during the week.

Talking with your CBT therapist about the experiences recorded on the worksheet helps you evaluate your thoughts, notice patterns, and learn to change unwanted thoughts and behaviors. This collaborative process allows for personalized guidance and support as you work towards your mental health goals and address any lifestyle changes you may want to implement.

If you're interested in exploring the different types of CBT and finding the right approach for you, our experienced therapists at Whole Wellness Counseling are here to guide you. With their expertise, they can tailor a CBT treatment plan that suits your specific needs and goals. Take the first step towards improving your mental well-being and reach out to us today.