Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy or psychotherapy that is commonly used, not only by those who are suffering from addictions or mental health disorders but also by people who simply want to improve the quality of their thoughts and, ultimately, their life.
CBT has been proven to be effective for treating those who are suffering from various kinds of challenging conditions, such as anxiety, addiction, insomnia or chronic pain. Also, many highly value how much CBT has helped them emotionally navigate changes in their lives that had been stressful, overwhelming and difficult to handle, such as moving to a new community or ending a relationship.
Table of Contents
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Explained
In many cases, people engage in free-form talk therapy, which can be quite helpful on its own. However, that type of therapy often falls short of helping them grasp how to change their thought process and effectively move forward. This is where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be beneficial.
CBT offers structure by analyzing a client’s experiences (past and present) in detail and providing specific tools to help them achieve their goals. Discussing these goals is an important element of the process. CBT can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with a range of challenges, including eating disorders, social anxiety disorders, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
For example, if you were to take advantage of CBT in New Jersey, you may be asked to analyze your emotions—not only the emotions themselves but also what you believe caused them. In other words, if you are feeling especially anxious or depressed, describe those feelings as well as the thoughts, patterns, and circumstances that you noticed that may have led you to this point. This process can help you identify negative thought patterns and reframe them into more positive and productive ones.
Sometimes, strong emotions, both positive and negative, can occur for reasons that appear obvious and straightforward. For example, you may be happy and relieved after having received a top score for a school or work assignment that you had been worried about. Or perhaps you feel really down and are attributing that to a close friend having recently moved away to a new city. Conversely, sometimes, powerful feelings may appear random and have a cause or numerous causes that cannot be discerned. These strong emotions can sometimes lead to panic attacks in individuals struggling with anxiety disorders.
Regardless, analyzing your emotions will help you better connect those emotions and your experiences, which can create a rewarding and positive feeling as you understand more clearly what may have caused you to be in the position you are in—i.e., the connections between your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. This increased awareness can be crucial in developing effective coping skills for managing stressors in daily life.
Also, note that genetic factors may play a role in all of this. Those will be analyzed as well. CBT can also address issues like perfectionism, low self-esteem, and anger management, contributing to improved well-being and overall wellness.
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps, Including With Addictions
A significant benefit of analyzing your experiences and yourself is being able to then alter and reverse your negative thought patterns, which is one of the primary focuses of CBT.
That said, keep in mind that everyone experiences challenging emotions from time to time. In other words, it is important to know that you do not need to feel happy and content 100% of the time, and it helps to trust that waves of sadness, anxiety or general discomfort will pass.
However, CBT does have the potential to help increase the percentage of time that you are experiencing more positive emotions and effectively dealing with life’s circumstances and events and lessen the more negative emotions, such as feeling like things are hopeless and you do not have control over anything.
All of this can be applied to various types of disorders, including addictions.
An Example of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helping With an Addiction
Think of it this way. Say that someone has conditioned their mind to think of alcohol whenever they are presented with a stressful situation. For example, anytime there is tension in the relationship between Alex and their partner, Alex immediately tells themself, “I need a drink,” likely accompanied by a feeling of relief when thinking of taking that first drink as well as all of the ones that will follow.
CBT can help reverse those types of thoughts. In that example, Alex can learn how to start to change that line of thinking to dealing with stressful situations, such as relationship troubles, in different ways, ones that are healthier and, in the big picture, provide much more relief and positivity than alcohol ever will. A goal could be for that habitual thought pattern to change from “I need a drink” to something like “I need a walk” or “I need to listen to music.”
In other words, CBT will help you react to triggers in much healthier ways, perhaps to the point that what used to be triggers are not even triggers anymore. As a result, cravings for that substance will decrease.
CBT Can Result in Long-Term Recovery
The intent behind CBT is to result in long-term recovery through behavioral changes, and what you learn while embracing this type of therapy will include lessons that you can incorporate into your life for the rest of it and apply to all of your future challenges. As that relates specifically to recovery from addiction and improvement with mental health disorders, the goal is recovery that sticks and lasts, and this treatment method has great potential to help that be the case.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Garden State Treatment Center
CBT is a treatment method that we highly value and that works for many of those who we help. In numerous cases, we integrate CBT into our personalized treatment plans, which can be accompanied by, for example, adventure therapy or couples, family or group therapy.
In a more general sense, we engage in holistic treatment for everyone who we welcome onto our premises. That means that we treat the entire person through a connection of their mind, body and spirit. Other examples of our holistic modalities include nutritional therapy, yoga therapy and acupuncture.
Very much a part of that personalized holistic approach is CBT.
Also note that CBT can be a part of the dual diagnosis treatment that we offer for those who are suffering from more than one disorder, such as an addiction to a substance and depression or anxiety.
Why Choose Garden State Treatment Center in NJ for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
We have experienced clinicians, including licensed social workers, who specialize in cognitive therapy and evidence-based treatment methods. They know how to adapt what they have learned to your specific situation and unique needs, including taking into account any traumatic experiences you have had and any phobias you may be experiencing.
More to the point, comprehensive care is provided for adolescents, young adults, and adults who are suffering from substance abuse, a mental health disorder, or both. This may include CBT, depending on what is best for you and what types of interventions you prefer. We offer effective treatment for a range of issues, including mood disorders and substance use disorders.
In addition, we are local to those in New Jersey and nearby states (New York). While we also regularly treat clients who are not from the Northeast but travel here to take advantage of our valuable services, including in-person therapy sessions, we also offer the convenience of telehealth for those who prefer it.
Next Step: Beginning Treatment
To take the first step towards recovery, contact Garden State Treatment Center. We will be glad to help you learn more about CBT and how to start on your journey towards recovery. If you do join our welcoming community, we will support you every step of the way.
Published on: 2024-12-28
Updated on: 2025-01-01
