Perception is reality. This simple three-word statement sums up how a person’s thoughts and beliefs can influence how they feel and behave. How people interpret and react to what is going on around them is often guided by irrational or negative beliefs about themselves or their situation. These destructive thought patterns can create unnecessary stress, perpetuate limiting thoughts, and foster a downward spiral that can influence or perpetuate a mental health disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, or food, drug, or alcohol addiction.
Cognitive behavioral treatment is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying unhealthy thought patterns. Through CBT, patients learn to develop an awareness of irrational or negative thoughts that may be preventing them from addressing challenges in a constructive way and living their best life. At Blair Wellness Group of Beverly Hills, we use a unique combination of treatments and treatments including cognitive behavioral treatment to achieve the fastest and most effective results for our clients. If you’re curious about CBT or would like to learn more about how it may be able to help you, keep reading or contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Blair.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Treatment?
Cognitive behavioral treatment is a type of psychotherapy that helps patients become more aware of their thoughts and the impact they are having on their daily lives. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking that are unproductive or even destructive toward achieving a goal or managing difficult situations. CBT aims to help people understand what may be causing them the most stress or hindering them from overcoming obstacles is their own thoughts. These thoughts are often unconscious and habitual in nature, and only by bringing awareness to them and evaluating if they are truly an accurate representation of reality can one start to make lasting changes.
What To Expect From Your CBT Session
During CBT sessions, patients are encouraged to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the challenges they are facing. The purpose of this is to explore troubling situations in your life that are causing you stress or to identify mental conditions that have taken hold. You may be asked to explain a particular experience, what you think caused it, and how or why you responded a certain way.
In many instances, previous negative experiences or childhood trauma may cause patients to have an inaccurate or distorted view of certain situations. This can distort their thinking, cause them to view mildly troublesome circumstances as catastrophic, and make them feel as if they have no control. CBT can be used to help people examine the validity of these feelings and encourage them to see their world from a different perspective.
Effectiveness of CBT
Cognitive behavioral treatment is an effective tool for helping people face challenges and cope with difficult situations in a healthy way. It focuses on changing harmful or unproductive responses through awareness and by providing techniques to help with addressing emotional challenges. Over time, patients can change their mindset from one that is pessimistic and anxiety-ridden to one that focuses on problem-solving.
Who Can Benefit From CBT?
CBT is used to treat a wide range of problems. Used alone, or in combination with other treatments, it has been shown to be effective in achieving positive results for those who suffer from general anxiety, PTSD, depression, anger issues, substance abuse and addiction, and insomnia, among others. It’s also important to understand that cognitive behavioral treatment isn’t just for those with a diagnosed mental disorder. It can also be used by just about anyone to positively manage stressful situations in a healthy and constructive manner.
How To Get The Most Out Of CBT
Similar to other forms of treatment, there are things you can do that will help you get the most out of your sessions. First and foremost, you have to be willing to be open and honest and share your innermost thoughts. Although this can be difficult for many, it’s paramount to your success. Second, make sure to do your homework between appointments. As part of your CBT, you may be asked to keep a journal or do another activity that will aid in your progression. Consider these small requests an important part of your treatment that shouldn’t be dismissed. Finally, have realistic expectations. Don’t expect that you’ll get instant results in one session. Although treatment can take time, at Blair Wellness Center, we understand that you don’t want to wait years to see improvement. That’s why we use proven techniques to help our clients achieve results faster than they may experience at other clinics.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and Teletherapy
The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic may be viewed as a barrier to treatment for some people who recognize that they need help. Fortunately, CBT can be offered just as effectively through teletherapy sessions. At Blair Wellness Group, we want to make sure that treatments and treatment are accessible to all patients who seek them. That’s why we are now providing in-person, telephone, and teletherapy services, including cognitive behavioral treatment, seven days a week.
Unique to our clinic is our concierge-style of treatment that was designed for convenience. This pay-as-you-go model gives patients the option to schedule appointments at times that are convenient for them — even if that means on a weekend, evenings,or over a lunch hour. They can also pay for services directly, avoiding the hassle, lower quality of care, lack of privacy, and treatment constraints often associated with dealing with insurance.
Schedule Your Appointment With Blair Wellness Group
If you would like to learn more about behavioral cognitive treatment and how it may be able to help you, we encourage you to reach out to our clinic to schedule an appointment. Whether you decide to come in for an in-person consultation or you would rather take advantage of virtual treatment sessions, you’ll always receive the same level of expert care from Dr. Blair and Blair Wellness Group.
