Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

When considering different addiction therapy programs, it is critical to examine how each might leave you permanently changed for the better, outfitted with a clearer understanding of your needs and how they can be better met while living in sobriety. Midwest Center at Youngstown, includes cognitive behavioral therapy as a stand-alone or integrated treatment to help our patients unearth their true needs and desires, helping them to make better choices as they move on to the next phase of their lives. Contact our team today at 844.544.0502 to learn how cognitive behavioral therapy can help you surmount long-standing emotional and psychological barriers to better living.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a variety of talk therapy allowing patients to better understand their mental habits and behaviors, allowing them to adopt healthier and more effective solutions to their problems. This is accomplished through a series of individual sessions, typically between five and 20, with a licensed therapist, identifying problematic thought patterns and various cognitive strategies or behavioral interventions to achieve better outcomes.

In a cognitive therapy session, which can take place either in-person or remotely, the therapist works to achieve a safe space where the patient feels comfortable expressing personal thoughts and feelings. Next, the therapist works with the patient to identify the true cause of the negative cognitive or behavioral pattern, which might include:

Chronic anxiety or depression
Low self-esteem
Previously undiagnosed or untreated co-occurring disorders
Phobias
Subconscious or unconscious fears
Unprocessed traumas

Finally, the therapist helps the patient reshape their thinking strategies through various methods such as controlled exposure, assertiveness training, problem-solving methods, and motivational techniques.

What Are the Benefits of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program?

Due to its widely recognized success, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most widely-adopted techniques for treating nearly all mental and emotional health conditions. The primary benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy are identifying and altering behavior patterns, better allowing patients to create more desirable habits, and avoiding maladaptive coping mechanisms. This is achieved through:

Offering a highly-structured, systematic approach that can be adapted to suit individual needs and/or cultural norms
Continual monitoring of the patient’s progress
Developing concrete action plans in cooperation with the patient
Helping patients learn to process grief, loss, or trauma
Reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety that cloud rational thinking
Correcting negative thought patterns, such as guilt or shame in relation to traumatic events
Identifying the symptoms of long-term mental or psychological illness and achieving healthier treatments for co-occurring conditions
Employing more effective stress management techniques
Improving all of the clients’ personal relationships
Allowing patients to understand the symptoms of stress, allowing them to be more proactive in their own treatment
Reframing events from a more affirmative or productive perspective
Teaching patients to engage in positive self-talk, as well as asking them to focus on future aspirations

In the context of other ongoing treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy offers a strong defense against future relapse. Even if the patient encounters stumbling blocks in their treatment, it allows them to better identify the triggers that led to substance use, allowing them to adopt those lessons towards future success.