Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the foundations of drug and alcohol addiction and mental health disorder treatment. This is a long-used treatment program designed to bring awareness to a person’s negative or inaccurate thought processes. The belief is that a person can change their thoughts to avoid negative behaviors. For those who enroll in a mental health treatment center, this type of therapy is likely to be used as it is one of the most common evidence-based therapies used today.
What Is a CBT Program About?
CBT is a type of talk therapy. It can be done one-on-one with a counselor or in a group setting. The process is completed over a series of sessions. Its purpose is to help a person become aware of inaccurate and negative thinking. By becoming aware of this type of thinking, it is then possible to respond more effectively to it without engaging in negative behaviors.
CBT can help in a variety of situations, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
- Addiction
Anyone can embrace the benefits of CBT, not just those who are struggling with a disorder. It can help anyone to overcome and better manage high-stress periods of their lifestyle.
What Is a CBT Program Going to Do for You?
Investing in a CBT program through a treatment center may enable you to make changes in behaviors by controlling thoughts. Over the course of a few sessions, a person gains insight into their thoughts – recognizing that thoughts are not realistic or inaccurate and becoming aware of how those thoughts impact the decisions made. This can lead to a number of potential improvements, including:
- Learning to cope with stress in a productive and safe manner
- Managing the symptoms of a mental health disorder
- Improving quality of life
- Treating mental health disorders with or without the use of medication
- Learning to manage emotions
- Resolving relationships through improved communication
All of this comes from simply having a better understanding of how thoughts spiral out of control. A therapist works with a person to pull out that information. For example, a therapist may discuss what happens when a person faces stress. Do their thoughts spiral from “what am I going to do” to “I can’t do this?” Sometimes this can lead to excessive worrying, depression, anxiety, or even the use of alcohol and drugs as a way to deal with the stress.
By recognizing the negative thought pattern, a person is then able to step back and be more realistic. They can work to develop a solution to the problem instead. That leads to a better outcome and fewer negative effects.
Is a CBT Program a Good Choice for You?
A cognitive-behavioral therapy program can provide exceptional support for those struggling with mental health disorders or addiction. It is often used alongside other types of therapies, all with the goal of providing a person with tools to help them avoid negative outcomes.
CBT is not a cure for mental health or addiction. Rather, it can help a person to gain more control over their symptoms. It works alongside detox and other types of therapy. In providing this type of support, a person can embrace life’s challenges with better tools to deal with them. That may help to prevent relapse from occurring.
CBT therapy can be an exceptional tool. It is one of the many ways a person can restore his or her wellbeing, gain confidence, and feel empowered to change even through difficult situations.
Embrace the Right Type of Treatment for You
For men and women with mental health disorders or addiction, learning what a CBT program is and how it works is essential. Yet, it takes reaching out to a therapist to gain help. Do that today so you can start healing.