Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is based on the idea that thoughts cause feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events.  The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel and act better even if the situation does not change.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered among the most rapid in terms of results obtained.  The average number of sessions a client receives is about sixteen.   

• I believe that you can change things in your life when you learn how to think differently about yourself and then act on that learning.  This process is not simply learning to think more positively or denying negative thoughts - there are faulty beliefs and assumptions about ourselves and others that prohibit our emotional wellness and personal peace.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques can address problems such as substance abuse/addictions, depression, stress reduction, marital/family problems, ADD/ADHD behaviors, childhood trauma, grief/loss issues and etc..

• I will seek to learn what you want out of life (your goals) and then help you achieve those goals. 

• CBT does not tell you how you should feel.  If you are upset about your problems, there are two problems -  the problem, and your upset about it. 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy is structured and directive.  We will consider how you have attempted to arrive at a specific goal based on your choices.  We will have a specific agenda for each session based on your thoughts and behaviors concerning those goals.   

• CBT is based on re-educating.  The goal of therapy is to help you unlearn unwanted reactions and learn a new way of reacting.  When you understand how and why you are doing well, you then know what to do to continue doing well.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy relies on the Inductive Method.  The inductive method encourages us to look at your thoughts as being hypotheses or guesses that can be questioned and tested.  If we find that your hypotheses are incorrect (because we have new information), then we can change your thinking to be in line with how the situation really is.

• Homework is a central feature.  Goal achievement could take a very long time if you only thought about our discussion for one hour per week.  That's why I encourage reading assignments, daily behavioral checklists, family assignments, games, journaling and/or support meetings to create an opportunity for you to practice what we discuss in session throughout the week.   

Information from http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm