Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What is cognitive behavioral therapy? If you’re experiencing a mental health problem like depression, anxiety, or relationship issues, you might wonder about treatments to improve your quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a beneficial tool that works for many people as a standalone treatment or in addition to other therapies.
Breaking Dawn Therapy uses evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy in Detroit, Michigan, to create individualized plans that help people improve their mental health. As practitioners of CBT, the Breaking Dawn Therapy team shares details about cognitive behavioral therapy below, including its effectiveness, risks, treatment types, and results.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychological treatment that uses structured discussions to identify and correct negative or inaccurate thinking. After several sessions, patients learn how to view challenging situations from different perspectives to generate more effective, positive responses.
CBT is helpful for people with various mental health problems and those experiencing stress. At Breaking Dawn Therapy, experienced therapist Kristen Stewart LMSW-C uses cognitive behavioral therapy in Michigan to help adults cope with struggles within their personal or professional lives. She helps patients overcome various problems, from low self-esteem to grief and trauma.
CBT Treatments and Their Applications
The purpose of CBT treatments is to retrain the brain how to think regarding specific situations. Strategies may include learning problem-solving skills, recognizing distorted thoughts, and learning how to be confident in yourself.
Therapists who use CBT rely on different treatments for each patient, depending on their needs. For example, if you have anxiety and fear about certain things, your therapist may use exposure therapy to help you face your fears instead of running from them. People with anxiety, depression, or trauma may participate in treatments where they learn how to calm their minds and relax their bodies.
Virtual CBT sessions, like those at Breaking Dawn Therapy, can be as effective as in-person therapy. Schedule your virtual appointment today.
Potential Risks Associated With CBT
Since CBT uses talk therapy and at-home mental exercises for patients, the risks associated with cognitive behavioral therapy are minimal. At most, people will be uncomfortable while discussing painful experiences or emotions, resulting in feeling upset or angry during some sessions.
Overwhelming emotions can also cause people to feel physically spent. This risk often accompanies challenging sessions that involve complex emotions or exposure therapy that makes you confront things or situations you would typically avoid.
Working with a professional, experienced therapist minimizes those risks. Rest assured that the professionals at Breaking Dawn Therapy will guide you through each session and help you navigate any stress they bring.
Going Through CBT Therapy Sessions
A typical cognitive behavioral therapy session will involve you talking to the therapist about how you feel, your thoughts, and your troubles. The sessions target specific problems and use goals to overcome them, so your therapist may give you homework to build upon what you learn in therapy, like reading or activities that teach you coping skills to use in daily life.
At Breaking Dawn Therapy, we understand that life’s complexities can sometimes be too much to overcome alone. We take empathetic approaches like CBT to help people start their healing journeys. That includes offering virtual therapy in Michigan for busy adults who need flexible, non-intrusive treatments.
Length and Results of CBT
CBT is goal-oriented, which means it is usually a short-term therapy lasting up to 20 sessions. You and your therapist will determine how long you need CBT according to several factors like:
- Your stress level
- Your symptoms and their severity
- Your disorder, condition, or situation
- Your progress
- Your support from family and friends
Though CBT is effective, it might not cure your condition or eliminate stress from your life. Still, sessions with a compassionate therapist can empower you to cope with life’s challenges in a healthy way. Through CBT, you can learn everything from stress management to critical thinking with positive perspectives.
A Tool for Better Mental Health | Breaking Dawn Therapy
Now that you know the answer to, what is cognitive behavioral therapy, this effective therapy could be your answer to dealing with life’s problems and improving your mental health.
With guidance and virtual therapy from Breaking Dawn Therapy, Michigan residents of all ages can receive the skills they need to live happy, healthy lives. We believe in providing flexible, empathetic approaches to everyone’s therapeutic journey.
If you’d like to learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy, contact Breaking Dawn Therapy at (734) 457-1253 to request an appointment.
