Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment strategy that focuses on the ways in which an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all connected and affect one another. This is often referred to as the CBT cycle (see below):
By identifying, understanding, and changing our thinking and behavior patterns, we can improve our mood, decrease our anxiety, and live a more meaningful life.
Cognitive and Behavioral strategies may include (but are not limited to):
Cognitive Restructuring: Through thought records, you learn how to identify, evaluate, and modify unhelpful thinking.
Problem Solving: A skill that focuses on specifying the problem and then brainstorming, evaluating, and eventually selecting a solution.
Behavioral Activation: Identifying and scheduling activities that build a sense of mastery and pleasure. This is most frequently used with clients who struggle with depression.
Relaxation Strategies, such as diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation
Behavior Experiments: Collaboratively designed experiments that enable clients to test out their thoughts, fears, and predictions.
Distress Tolerance Skills: Tools, such TIPP and using one’s five senses, which enable clients to regulate the intensity and/or duration of their emotions.
Assertiveness Training: Strategies to effectively say ‘no’, communicate one’s needs or concerns, and assert one’s opinion.
How Does Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Work?
Research supports that CBT is the MOST effective treatment for anxiety disorders, OCD, and depression.
Sessions are structured, skills-based, goal-oriented, and designed to be short term.
After an initial assessment, we collaborate with the client to identify their treatment goals.
We spend time tracking the relationship between one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
We identify and challenge the maladaptive thinking patterns underlying one’s anxiety or depression.
We work to change unhelpful behavioral patterns, such as reassurance seeking and avoidance, that may be contributing to one’s mood.
Overtime, with practice in session and outside of session, CBT gives clients the confidence that they can master their own anxiety.
Who Could Benefit From Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)?
All ages – children, adolescents, young adults, and adults
Any individual with an anxiety-based disorder – Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Specific Phobias, Panic Disorder/Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, Perfectionism, Separation Anxiety
CBT is also frequently used with PTSD, Chronic Pain, Misophonia, OCD, Hair-Pulling, and Skin-Picking
How Can I Get Started?
All therapists at The North Suburban Center for Anxiety specialize in using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to treat Anxiety, OCD, and Related Disorders. To make an in person or virtual appointment, complete the form HERE or at 224-326-0068. Contact us for more information on our CBT therapy services in Northbrook, IL.