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2863 Executive Park Drive Suite 106 Weston, FL 33331 | 2741 Executive Park Drive, Suite 4 Weston, FL 33331 954-769-1285

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

This type of therapy is based on the concept that our thoughts affect our feelings, our feelings influence our actions and actions influence our life choices (situations).

This type of treatment is known as the most effective for a number of issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, anger and addictions. CBT therapy can be effective within 10-20 sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is based on the idea that our thoughts affect our feelings, our feelings influence our actions and actions influence our life choices. In other words, it’s not the situation or people that make us feel a certain way, but how we think about situations that influences how we feel. Cognitive behavioral therapy in Weston is a highly effective treatment for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, anger and addictions. In fact, CBT therapy may start working within five to 20 sessions.

CBT helps build a skill set for someone struggling with anxiety and depression to quickly identify and cope with specific challenges. Your therapist will help you set goals and overcome obstacles. This is a collaborative process and the sessions are structured toward symptom relief and problem solving.

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Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) is based on specific principles on how our thoughts drive our emotions which influence our behavior.  Basically, the understanding is that It is not the situation or people that make us feel a certain way but how we interpret (think about) situations that influences how we feel.

CBT helps build a skill set that helps someone struggling with anxiety and depression quickly identify and cope with specific challenges.

In treatment, you will:

  • Increase your awareness of your thoughts and feelings
  • Identify how thoughts and behaviors influence your feelings
  • Improve feelings by addressing and modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

CBT focuses on present events rather than past experiences. Nevertheless, early life experiences may lead to unhealthy core beliefs that could affect how you interpret situations, how you think and feel about them, and how you act in them. So during therapy, there will be some exploration into past events and how those might affect current thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

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How does CBT help With anxiety?

CBT is a well-researched approached that has demonstrated a great deal of success in the treatment of anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), CBT is considered to be one of the most effective Anxiety treatment methods because it focuses on helping you build skills to help shift emotional responses, which are not helpful to your overall well-being. Using CBT, you will learn to change your thoughts and feelings that create or worsen your anxiety symptoms. One of the advantages of CBT is that after just a few sessions, you can implement the tools that you are learning.

How does CBT help with depression?

Research shows that for some people CBT can work as well or even better than medication. For others, it is the combination of talk therapy and antidepressants. In either case, CBT will help you recognize negative or false thoughts and replace them with positive and more realistic ones.

Together, you and your therapist will set reachable goals. Less time is spent in your past and more is devoted to how you feel and think now. You'll focus on changing thought patterns in order to alleviate depression.

What are some CBT strategies used for Anxiety relief?

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Your therapist will choose different techniques for anxiety relief based on your presenting problems and symptoms.  Below are some common strategies:

  • Learning to recognize inaccurate or negative thoughts that may be causing problems and how to put them into a more realistic frame
  • Understanding how the problematic behavior came and how others influence your thinking.
  • Developing skills to problem solve when dealing with difficult situations.
  • Building confidence in the skills that you learn to cope with overwhelming emotions.

CBT treatment also focuses on changing patterns of behavior. Some strategies that are used include:

  • Learning to face one’s fear instead of avoiding it.
  • Role playing in order to practice and prepare for what you perceive to be a challenging situation with others.
  • Relaxation techniques specifically designed to calm your mind and relax your body.

It is important to keep in my mind that your therapist will design the interventions used based on your symptoms, severity of your diagnosis. Not all interventions are used at one time.

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What to expect during your First Therapy Session?

During the first session, your therapist will gather information about you, the impact that anxiety and/or depression is having on your daily life and any concerns you may have. She will also go over your current and past emotional and physical health history.

The first session is also a great time to get to know your therapist, her style of therapy and get a sense if she is a good match for you. During your first session, you can expect to review goals of treatment, the length of each session and get an idea of how many sessions it may take to alleviate your symptoms.

How many Sessions of CBT will I Need?

CBT is usually considered to be short-term therapy, therefore, it may last anywhere from five to 20 sessions. The right number of sessions for you will be determined with your therapist.  However, there are some factors that are taken into account such as:

  • The severity of the symptoms
  • The type of disorder or situation
  • How long you have been experiencing your symptoms or situation
  • How quickly progress is made
  • The amount and impact of stress that you may be dealing with
  • Your support system and how present they are in your life.

For more information about CBT, you can visit mayoclinic.org and healthline.com

What Is the Next Step?

Our therapists are highly trained in both CBT and ACT for anxiety treatment in Weston. We have found that within a few sessions, there will be a decrease in your symptoms and a greater ability to manage the moments of anxiety you experience.

To schedule an appointment, please call 954-769-1285 or complete the online form here.

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