Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Virtual or In-Person in Columbus, OH
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. In layman’s terms it is changing people’s perceptions to be more positive, so that your thoughts, emotions and behaviors follow.
Why do I practice using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Safe Harbour Counseling?
I love using CBT with my clients because it is very effective in helping to rewire your brain to have more positive/half glass full perceptions. It teaches my clients how to become aware of their thoughts, how to accept them and how to challenge them, which leads to adapting new thought processes. Also, you will be able to continue using these techniques and strategies if and when you choose to leave counseling.
Common Diagnosis’ for CBT
I use CBT for all types of diagnosis in my practice. The more common diagnoses are trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, alcohol and drug use, marriage counseling and bipolar disorder.
I will regularly recommend this treatment to most people that come into my practice. Just like every other system in the body, everything is connected in mental health. We all have perceptions and if they are negative, then our thoughts, emotions and behaviors will be negative. If you change your perceptions, then whatever you are struggling with becomes a little less uncomfortable.
I have also come to discover that people carry a lot of baggage from their childhood that gives them perceptions about who they are today. CBT is able to help them change those perceptions.
What to Expect with CBT
This intervention can be intense and normally requires regular practice outside of session.
As I am getting to know my clients, I am able to pick up distortions in the way that they think, which we will discuss. We talk about what the distortions are so that they can become aware of how ingrained they are in their everyday thinking.
We discuss ways to challenge perceptions by providing examples of how to change their thought processes. Next, we discuss how they have to believe the new way and how to let go of the old way of their thinking. Then, they practice.
Begin treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Columbus, OH
Keep in Mind:
I am always up front and honest with my clients about how hard this can be. Our thoughts are automatic, so in essence they will have to become aware, stop in mid thought process, challenge to be more positive while believing it and then release the old thoughts.
This is not easy. That being said, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences they will go through.
Our brain is amazing in the fact that it is capable of making new thought patterns/connections until the day we die. I have witnessed amazing transformations with my clients, that has included more peace, self confidence and self awareness, and less anxiety and depression.