Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a leading, evidence-based approach to the treatment of many mental illnesses. Magnitudes of research have been conducted on the efficacy of CBT. This research confirms that the skills used in the therapeutic process alleviate stress symptoms and can help sufferers face diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. Some studies have even indicated that CBT eliminates emotional stress in such a way that physical illnesses, like chronic pain, can also be positively affected.
Traditionally, CBT is conducted in an individual or group therapy setting, where a trained clinician can guide the therapeutic process while teaching participants helpful skills. Skills gained in a CBT setting aren’t limited to the therapeutic or treatment environment. What we learn and practice in CBT, as well as how we grow through CBT, is entirely applicable to our everyday life. When used in tandem with other approaches, it can pave the way for healing: body, mind, and spirit.
If you or a loved one need help, call our admissions team today at 561-841-1033.Identify A Core Thinking Problem
One of the primary functions of CBT is looking at our dysfunctional, problematic behaviors and identifying a core thinking problem behind them. Our behaviors are largely informed by our beliefs, and our beliefs are largely informed by messages we receive from our life experiences. CBT skills help us create a map from our behavioral problem to our core thinking problem, to our core believing problem. This can assist us in making our own informed decisions about how we want to feel and think, and act, as well as what we want to believe. We can use this in all kinds of decision-making processes in our day to day life: from major life to decisions to what we believe about buying that pint of ice cream at the grocery store.
Map Out A Solution
Mapping our way to the core of our behaviors and decisions means we can re-route our way back to the present moment. This allows us to choose to act, think, feel, and believe differently. We face innumerable challenges in life, great and small, frequent and rare. CBT equips us with the skills to change the course of our destiny by changing the way we find solutions in our everyday lives. Namely, we have the foundation of understanding that there are solutions available. This can help us engage in the important work of recovery, deconstruct self-sabotaging patterns and self-pity, and a clear out faulty or delusional thinking.
Approach Situations Mindfully
Though there is a special subsection of CBT called MBSR-CBT (mindfulness-based stress reduction cognitive behavioral therapy), mindfulness is a core component of CBT. Primarily, mindfulness in CBT asks us to practice non-judgment when it comes to our behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs. Mindfulness helps us compassionately understand that until this present moment when we are using CBT to examine our minds, we may never have considered our behaviors or roots of our behaviors before. In our everyday lives, we can practice mindfulness, compassion, and non-judgment to ourselves, as well as to others.
Hanley Center is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for mental illnesses and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting wellness. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1033.
