Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of mental health counseling that was created by Aaron Beck in the 1970s. CBT practitioners are trained to guide clients through a structured model over a designated number of sessions. Therapists develop a relationship with the clients during initial counseling sessions, discuss goals, develop a treatment plan, and then determine methods to reach these goals. A good CBT counselor helps guide clients on a path to forming more realistic perceptions. At Fresh Start Recovery Center, we offer CBT services as part of our behavioral therapy programs. Contact us today at 833.625.0398 to speak with a specialist who can discuss ways in which you can incorporate CBT into a treatment plan that works for your particular circumstances.
Signs You Would Benefit from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the theory that a person’s perception of a situation is more closely connected to their reaction, or how they interpret the experience, than the situation itself. Since our perceptions are often based on cognitive distortions, we are essentially seeing reality through our own personal lens.
CBT is designed to help manage issues of anxiety and depression by navigating the symptoms displayed by those who are experiencing a mental health issue. Counselors focus on getting clients to address and evaluate thought patterns and how these thoughts may be problematic or distorted. Clients are treated to unlearn negative thought patterns and avoid distorted thinking.
At the end of a series of CBT sessions, one goal is for clients to feel better by understanding their thoughts and experiences more clearly and realistically. CBT further aims to provide clients with a sense of catharsis, a better sense of overall well-being, through solving problems and learning to navigate and avoid problematic behavioral choices.
What Are the Guiding Principles of CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves mental health practitioners forming a professional relationship with their clients. The counselor and client work on developing trust, setting goals, creating a treatment plan, and determining interventions that will be put into place if the plan is going off course.
A good CBT therapist keeps in mind the following:
- Client trust is essential
- Initially, emphasize present circumstances
- Carefully monitor client progress
- Tailor treatment to the individual
- Emphasize the positive
- Keep in mind change is always in progress
- Collaborate and get the client to actively participate
- Keep the game plan goal-oriented
- Maintain your core values
- Remember CBT is meant to be educational
- CBT is time sensitive
- Sessions should remain structured
- Closure is important at the end of sessions so clients feel safe
- A major goal is to turn cognitive distortions into realistic processing
- Action plans can involve homework
If you or your loved one is struggling with mild to moderate anxiety or related mental health conditions, there is a great deal of benefit that can be accomplished through CBT. In Fresh Start Recovery Center’s behavioral therapy programs, our team of professionals works with clients to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific circumstances. Other therapies offered by Fresh Start that can work alongside CBT include:
- Trauma therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Choose Fresh Start for CBT Today
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured mental health counseling technique that involves a series of guided sessions. In individual sessions with a trained CBT counselor, clients can expect to learn how to better understand and interpret their own reactions to situations.
Fresh Start Recovery Center offers CBT to our clients. CBT can be incorporated into a behavioral therapy program. Reach out to us today at 833.625.0398 to speak with a trained specialist who can discuss with you how our expert team of professionals can help develop a personalized treatment plan to help you get the help you deserve.
