Cognitive-behavioral therapy, also referred to as CBT, is a popular evidence-based talk therapy frequently used in treating substance use disorders and various mental illnesses. Being evidence-based means that CBT has been clinically proven to be effective. Unlike more traditional therapies that rely on the therapist-patient relationship and aim to uncover past events that might impact behavior, CBT focuses on how changing current thinking can result in behavior changes. A cognitive-behavioral treatment program can help if you are suffering from a substance use disorder or mental illness.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the many treatments available at Harmony Hills. To find out if you or your loved one would benefit from CBT and learn how we use CBT as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan, call us today at 855.494.0357.
How Does Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Work?
The theory behind cognitive-behavioral therapy is that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected and that a person’s thoughts, not external events or experiences, influence their behaviors. CBT aims to help individuals learn to identify and change negative or unhealthy patterns of thought that can contribute to harmful emotions and risky behaviors like substance abuse.
Unlike many other psychological treatments, there is a great deal of scientific evidence to show that cognitive-behavioral therapy methods actually produce change and do so relatively quickly. This is the main reason that CBT is widely used in addiction and mental health treatment programs. At Harmony Hills, clients work one-on-one with our highly trained clinicians in the cognitive-behavioral therapy program for a prescribed number of sessions that employ techniques such as:
- Cognitive restructuring or reframing
- Guided discovery and self-observation
- Exposure therapy
- Journaling
- Relaxation and stress reduction
- Problem-solving skills and coping mechanisms
- Role-playing
Whether you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, mental illness, or co-occurring disorder, CBT can give you the tools to apply to situations to help you avoid negative outcomes.
Who Can Benefit From Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
At Harmony Hills, we know that cognitive-behavioral therapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment and may not work for everyone. Our team will determine if CBT will be an appropriate part of your treatment through our comprehensive admissions process. CBT is proven effective for and commonly used in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including:
- Substance use disorders
- Co-occurring disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If the cognitive-behavioral treatment program is part of your overall treatment at Harmony Hills, our team will help you develop and implement problem-solving skills that will allow you to cope with life’s challenges both during treatment and after.
What Are 4 Benefits of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Because cognitive behavioral therapy is highly goal-oriented, our clinicians work closely with clients to help identify specific goals. This client-centered approach helps individuals regain a sense of control over their lives. Among the many benefits of CBT therapy are that you will be able to:
- Learn to identify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns
- Learn to communicate thoughts, feelings, and emotions in healthy ways
- Develop new habits to replace harmful ones
- Cope with grief, loss, and trauma
Often, individuals who require mental health treatment have been living with symptoms that have left them feeling overwhelmed. Using CBT to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals makes the recovery process more manageable. Clients can see concrete results on a session-to-session basis, which usually helps them become more invested in treatment.
Examples of CBT in Action
To better understand how cognitive-behavioral therapy works, here are a few examples of specific situations where CBT techniques may be utilized:
- A person with an anxiety disorder who has a fear of public speaking would be coached through relaxation and exposure techniques to manage their anxiety and ultimately overcome the fear.
- Someone struggling with depression may learn to reframe negative thoughts about themselves and their abilities, replacing them with more positive and realistic self-talk.
- A person in substance abuse treatment may learn coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers, as well as develop a relapse prevention plan.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has been proven effective for various mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. At Harmony Hills, our team of trained clinicians utilizes CBT in combination with other evidence-based treatments to create a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan for each client.
Find the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Necessary at Harmony Hills
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the best proven, effective ways to treat various mental illnesses and substance abuse issues. At Harmony Hills, our cognitive-behavioral treatment program is designed to work with other therapies in our inpatient and outpatient programs to help you or your loved one succeed both in treatment and beyond. Change your future today. Use our online form or call 855.494.0357 to begin on the path to lifelong well-being.
