Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Find Treatment In Your Area
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective types of psychological treatment available. Often considered the "gold standard of therapy," it is one of the many scientifically-backed therapies approved to effectively treat many mental health issues and symptoms.
Finding cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) near you can be hard, but this article will help you get started to find the right therapist for you.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment is often used either alone or in conjunction with psychiatric medications to treat symptoms of anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, chronic pain, phobias, personality concerns, and relationship problems. However, you do not have to be diagnosed with a mental illness or suspect one to benefit from this type of therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes thoughts, habits, and beliefs and how they might impact behaviors. Therapists focus on solving problems in daily life and positive psychology.
Finding cognitive behavioral therapists near you by searching for "cognitive-behavioral therapy near me" can be straightforward, as many mental health professionals offer this type of talk therapy. However, before you begin your therapy journey, consider learning more about the treatment and research through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) providers to find the right fit for you.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) combines theories from cognitive and behavioral therapies. This popular form of therapy aims to assist clients by identifying connections between thoughts and behaviors in their own lives. For example, individuals struggling with low self-esteem or life transitions might partake in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to discuss how their negative self-beliefs could cause relationship problems and limit their positive social behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions can help people with a range of problems, including if they have any disorders or mental health conditions. Examples of disorders that CBT therapists could assist with include eating disorders, ADHD, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, among many others.
Many cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) therapists, including a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSW-C), utilize strategies such as worksheets and activities like roleplay to help clients immerse themselves in treatment and develop effective coping skills. These techniques can be used for many mental disorders, and they primarily focus on managing clients’ thoughts and feelings to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
- Think reasonably and accurately
- Mindfulness techniques to regain clarity and focus
- Engage in behaviors that are positive and not self-defeating
- Express emotions appropriately
- Take control of their moods and beliefs
- Develop effective coping skills for challenges like social anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder
A potential premise of cognitive-behavioral therapy is removing blame put on others, yourself, or society for your unwanted symptoms. Instead, by working with a licensed professional counselor in individual therapy or couples counseling, you can learn to challenge beliefs and feel in control of your reality.
CBT focuses on helping clients develop effective strategies and fosters well-being as they navigate daily life situations.
Examples of cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) counselors have various approaches for many conditions. When looking for a provider, knowing what you can expect from your appointments can be beneficial. Below are a couple of examples using fictional characters.
Cognitive rehearsal is one of the standard CBT techniques used. Take the example of Kaylee.
Guided discovery
Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques
Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques are available in various forms, providing a broad range to fit your symptoms. Your therapist can combine different techniques depending on what you intend to achieve and what works best for you. Below are a few of the most common options.
Cognitive restructuring is a technique that focuses on thinking patterns that might cause ineffective behavior and negative moods. After identifying the thinking patterns, clients are asked to challenge these thoughts, change them to positive thoughts, or identify factual information. There are many different methods to teach new clients how to benefit from this process. One common form of cognitive restructuring is using a worksheet to track thoughts and actively change them.
Graded exposure assignments
Exposure, also called desensitization, is a technique used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety that assists individuals in approaching their fears systematically. Often, fear may cause clients to avoid certain stimuli. However, escaping what individuals fear most may increase fear instead of reducing it. By exposing clients to feared situations and asking graded exposure questions, professionals can help clients reduce their reactions to certain stimuli. Often, worksheets are used, and clients may rate their fear on a scale of one to 100 at different points throughout the exercise until it starts to go down.
Activity scheduling
This form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to assist individuals in scheduling activities that positively impact their mood. Identifying and scheduling useful habits like taking a walk or meditating could increase the possibility of going through with it. In some cases, professionals might recommend sticker charts or rewards to incentivize the individual to complete the activity.
Where can I find cognitive therapy near me?
If you're wondering where you can find a CBT therapist in your area, consider the following tips when seeking a professional. Finding an effective CBT therapist can help you receive the best results from your sessions.
Know what kind type of professional you want
Knowing you want to work with a CBT therapist can be the first step. However, you might also benefit from knowing what special interest or specialty you'd want your provider to have. Specialties might include specific mental health diagnoses, symptoms, or situations, such as family therapy or counseling for generalized anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, sleep disorders, major depressive disorder, addiction, trauma, relationship problems, or physical pain. Some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specialists work with couples or families. A therapist's bio may include information on the issues they address, helping you develop a well-rounded approach to your well-being. You can also call any clinical practice and ask.
Search for an affordable alternative
The high cost of therapy may be a barrier for some clients, particularly in metro areas like New York City or Washington, DC. While the Affordable Care Act and other administrative developments seek to improve the availability of mental health treatment and the ability to find a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy, many clients struggle to pay for frequent appointments.
Finding assistance for a mental or emotional health concern can be overwhelming and time-consuming. A reliable therapist finder website may help you find a provider, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or even an art therapist if desired. You can search by zip code, insurance plan, or symptoms through these platforms. Browse through therapist options, review their session offerings, and contact the therapists you want to speak to.
Takeaway
What mental health disorders are treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people with many conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, stress, eating disorders, ADHD, substance use disorder (formerly substance abuse), and more. CBT may also be helpful for people with low self-esteem, harmful patterns of thoughts and behaviors, or concerns relating to relationships.
What does a cognitive-behavioral therapist do?
A cognitive behavioral therapist typically helps clients identify harmful patterns of thought and behavior that may be causing them distress. The therapist then works with the client to teach strategies and may help them find constructive ways of changing behavior and thoughts. This may require problem-solving skills on the part of both the cognitive behavioral therapist and the client.
What are the types of cognitive therapies for mental health?
There are several types of cognitive therapies. Three examples are rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
How much does a cognitive-behavioral therapist cost?
The fees charged by a cognitive behavioral therapist may vary widely, with costs ranging from $50 to $250 per session. Many CBT therapists charge their clients on a sliding scale to make therapy more affordable.
Who is cognitive-behavioral therapy not suitable for?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may not be suitable for some people, including those with severe or complex mental health conditions, some types of disabilities, or serious personality disorders, for example. Moreover, people who are interested in uncovering past trauma may benefit more from other forms of therapy.
Can you do cognitive-behavioral therapy on your own?
Possibly. If you have mild symptoms of a mental health disorder or need assistance dealing with a stressful situation, you may be able to do cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) independently. Individuals with more severe symptoms, however, may need to see a therapist either online or in person for more intensive treatment.
What are the four steps of cognitive restructuring in cognitive-behavioral therapy?
One of the core principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive restructuring, is a technique used to reframe unhelpful thoughts. It may include the following four steps:
Identify the unhelpful thought.
Evaluate the thought for cognitive distortions.
Dispute or challenge the thought.
Develop a more rational replacement for the thought.
What are the disadvantages of cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychological treatment, and it can be an effective tool, but it’s not without its disadvantages. This form of therapy may be time-consuming and might not consider the entirety of a person’s circumstances, such as past trauma or relationships with family members, for instance. Moreover, not everyone responds well to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and it might not be suitable for people with severe mental health conditions or certain personality disorders.
Who provides cognitive behavioral therapy?
Various mental health professionals are generally qualified to administer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). For example, you can see a psychologist, licensed professional counselor (LPC), or LPC associate. When choosing a provider, it may be important to ensure the therapist has credentials and/or experience with this specific therapeutic modality.
Can a cognitive behavioral therapy therapist diagnose you?
Typically, a CBT therapist can diagnose many mental disorders like anxiety and depression, sleep disorders such as insomnia, ADHD, and substance use disorders, for example.
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