CBT Therapy in California
There are many forms of treatment for mental health disorders, but one of the most popular forms of treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It’s a valuable form of therapy that focuses on changing a person’s thought process to a more positive one. Learn how you can get CBT Therapy in California at Southern California Sunrise in Orange County.
What Is CBT therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a popular form of therapy. It’s based on the idea that many mental health conditions are based around unproductive thought processes and patterns. Psychological issues aren’t based entirely on thought processes, patterns, and behaviors. CBT revolves around the idea that these things are partially at fault. Developing better ways of thinking can give the patient coping strategies so they’re able to handle their conditions.
CBT aims to teach coping skills, problem-solving skills, a sense of confidence, and recognition of distorted or unhelpful thoughts and perceptions. This form of therapy focuses on the here and now rather than the root causes of the problem. It’s meant to help people help themselves and eventually become their own therapists.
What is CBT Used For?
Anxiety
CBT is effective for all forms of anxiety. Anxiety and most forms of phobias are triggered by irrational thoughts and worries. Because of that, CBT works well by re-routing these thoughts and helping the patient become more rational. They learn to calm their thoughts in times of crisis through various coping skills.
Depression
CBT for depression works similarly. While the root of depression is often in past events or brain chemistry, CBT helps patients to avoid spiraling thought patterns which exacerbate the condition. Treatment involves developing more balanced and constructive ways to respond to stressors.
What About More Serious Conditions?
CBT is also used for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders (including obesity, anorexia, and bulimia), personality disorders, and even substance use disorders. Some people have even found it effective for schizophrenia.
While all of these conditions take serious treatment, CBT does the work of getting rid of the harmful thought patterns that contribute to the problem. It also helps patients become more independent so they’re able to take control of their lives.
Other disorder that CBT can treat include:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Antisocial Behaviors
- Conduct Disorder
- General Stress
- Phobias
- Sexual Disorders
- Social Skill Problems
CBT isn’t a cure for these conditions. It’s a mode of treatment that allows patients the space to work on healing. It gives them the coping mechanisms that they’ll need to go about their day-to-day lives.
What Can I expect From CBT Therapy?
CBT sessions vary depending on the condition that the therapist is trying to treat and the patient receiving the treatment. A good cognitive-behavioral therapist works together with their patient to create a customized treatment plan that works for them.
CBT works like talk therapy at first. The patient talks about their worries, recent experiences, and how they’re handling their condition. A cognitive-behavioral therapist won’t give the patient life advice. They’ll guide them to a thought process in which they can advise themself.
This guidance might include role-playing sessions, coming face-to-face with fears or uncomfortable thoughts, or questioning the thoughts of the patient in order to encourage them to reconsider them.
The therapist may send the patient home with CBT worksheets and coping skills to practice before the next session.
How Effective Is CBT?
CBT is well-researched and tested to be effective in clinical trials. While the efficacy of CBT varies depending on the condition that it’s attempting to treat, it shows strong responses across the board. This is especially true for anxiety and stress-related conditions.
It’s considered a first-line treatment for these conditions. This means that it’s tried before medication and other forms of therapy.
The post-treatment prognosis for CBT patients is good. Many people report feeling the improvements years after treatment ends. Others choose to continue CBT or other forms of therapy long-term.
Get CBT Therapy in California
CBT is effective at treating many different kinds of mental health conditions. From common conditions such as anxiety and depression to rarer conditions like schizophrenia and personality disorders, its effectiveness is scientifically proven.
Are you or a loved one in need of CBT or another form of therapy? We at the Southern California Sunrise recovery center want to help. Contact us to talk to our team and verify your insurance today so you can get started on your journey towards healing.