Primarily, the CBT modality was designed to help patients with anxiety and depression. However, because we know that so much of what happens in life begins in mind, it’s a highly effective treatment for many mental health and substance abuse-related issues.
From panic attacks and phobias to processing past trauma and battling low self-esteem, cognitive therapy can be significantly beneficial. Some practitioners have also seen success with physical conditions such as chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome. ADHD, lousy communication skills, or interpersonal relationships also make the list.
Other conditions we treat with CBT include behavioral disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, those contemplating or engaging in self-harm or suicidal ideations, and several personality disorders. It’s also beneficial in the executive coaching space to enhance the effectiveness of leadership in the workplace.
Because so many diagnoses or substance abuse issues begin with thoughts that lead to behaviors, cognitive behavioral therapy serves as an extremely versatile treatment approach.
Negative thoughts and feelings can make one feel stuck, fragile, and hopeless with no clear path for making forward motion or personal growth. In some cases, this negative mental state can begin a downward spiral into more severe conditions and behaviors.
A negative mindset makes it difficult to overcome challenges, learn new skills, and develop positive habits. Negative thoughts and feelings entertained over a long period of time can reinforce false beliefs and give them too much credit.
False beliefs about one’s self, family, career, and circumstances can begin to present as undesirable behaviors. This can have a negative impact on work, school, relationships, and one’s mental health.
While it’s not always possible to change one’s circumstances, it is possible to change one’s mindset. This practice brings patients a new outlook on a life full of possibility and resilience. cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients gain emotional control and develop positive coping skills to restore a positive thought balance.
Many other forms of talk therapy focus primarily on the “why” behind some of these behaviors. While this approach has its time and place for some patients, for others rapid action and results are more beneficial.
This is where CBT thrives. This modality focuses primarily on what’s happening now, at the moment, rather than digging into what’s transpired in the patient’s past. Practitioners focus more on “how” & “what” questions rather than the more subjective “why” in order to target thoughts & the behaviors they lead to.
When undergoing Cognitive behavioral therapy, patients learn to function better and process their emotions with more objectivity. They will learn new coping skills and form healthier habits.
These skills and habits lead to a reduction in unmitigated anxiety and a more positive outlook on life and circumstances. Better stress management helps patients establish a more balanced mental state.
Patients who are able to express themselves more effectively will work with their friends, family, and coworkers more productively. These are some of the tangible benefits of CBT therapy that many Ascendant patients experience when they come to our NYC facility.
You don’t have to remain stuck. Balance and enhanced functionality are possible. Whether you’re struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction or a mental health diagnosis, you can begin your journey to positive thinking, healthier habits, and changed behavior today with CBT