At Central Ozarks Medical Center your health is our mission and that includes your mental and dental health as well because we know they all affect each other. When it comes to mental and behavioral health services at the Lake of the Ozarks, one size does not fit all. That is why we offer a variety of therapies for an array of conditions to better meet the needs of our patients. In this blog, we are going to talk about one of those therapies, a commonly used therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you or someone you love would benefit from learning to cope with unpleasant or stressful situations in a healthy and effective manner and are curious about how CBT works, keep reading this blog!
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common form of talk therapy that focuses on discovering negative or inaccurate thinking patterns. The goal in identifying negative thought patterns is to learn new ways to look at difficult or overwhelming situations and respond in a healthier or more effective manner.
What is CBT Used For?
CBT is used to treat a number of different issues and is a popular therapy because it allows you to quickly pinpoint different challenges and develop specific tools to cope with those challenges. It is often used to help with conditions such as depression, PTSD, eating disorders, substance abuse, and more. It can be a great technique for people dealing with trauma from abuse, to help people manage chronic physical problems, to improve communication and conflict management in relationships, etc. As you might imagine, patients without mental health conditions also benefit from CBT because it can help them develop better tools for dealing with stressful life circumstances – and we all deal with stressful circumstances.
What Does CBT Therapy Look Like?
CBT is considered short-term therapy and usually will range from 5-20 structured sessions with a psychotherapist experienced in CBT. During those sessions, you will take steps to identify the stressful circumstances in your life that are challenging your coping skills. Once you know your stressors, you will learn to recognize your emotions, thoughts, and beliefs around those stressors. You will become more aware of your “self-talk” and your perspective on what the circumstance or situation means. For instance, if the stressor is going through a divorce, that may lead to a lot of negative beliefs about yourself that are not true or healthy. Being aware of those interpretations in our own minds is a necessary step in changing them. Once you are aware of those thought patterns, you may start to see ways in which your thinking or behavior is adding to the problem that is stressing you. Then you can learn how to redirect inaccurate thinking or negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, helpful, more effective responses.
As you can tell, CBT is a valuable tool for helping a wide variety of conditions and circumstances. It does not change your unpleasant situation or make the stressors go away, but it does empower you with ways to control how you let them affect you and develop healthier ways to look at yourself and your life. At Central Ozarks Medical Center, our behavioral and mental health care providers at the Lake of the Ozarks are dedicated to providing the care you need to help you cope with life in a healthy and productive manner. If you have any questions, or if you would like to find a therapist experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, reach out to us today. A better way of looking at life is possible! For more news and information on health, behavioral and dental care in the lake area, follow us on social media using the links below.
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