What is CBT and can it help you?

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? What conditions can CBT treat?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of mental health conditions including:

·      anxiety disorder,

·      depression,

·      substance use and addictive disorders,

·      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD),

·      marital and family problems,

·      eating disorders including bulimia, anorexia or binge eating disorder,

·      Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),

·      Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),

·      phobias,

·      personality disorders,

·      severe mental illness.

When combined with medication, CBT is useful in treating bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

CBT has also been shown to be an effective treatment for Sexual Dysfunction (SD) including:

·      Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD)/ Sex addiction,

·      Problematic Pornography Use (PPU),

·      Nonorganic Erectile Dysfunction (NOED),

·      Premature ejaculation (PE),

·      disorders of sexual desire/interest (sexual avoidance or loss of sexual desire), arousal, orgasm (anorgasmia – an inability to orgasm) and sexual pain (painful intercourse, for example dyspareunia and vaginismus),

·      relationship problems involving sex or infidelity.

Studies have shown that CBT is also effective in helping manage non-psychological medical conditions, including:

·      chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes,

·      insomnia,

·      fibromyalgia and other causes of chronic pain,

·      epilepsy,

·      chronic fatigue syndrome,

·      kidney disease,

·      migraines,

·      irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),

·      and many others.

CBT can help people work through daily challenges and life-changing experiences, too. You might seek help for issues such as:

·      communication challenges,

·      divorce,

·      problems at work,

·      grief,

·      adjusting to big life changes,

·      adjusting to life with a chronic condition,

·      stress, coping with everyday problems.

Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been showed to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. People of all ages (including children) can receive CBT.

Individuals with mental illness can learn healthier ways of coping with them, reducing their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

How does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) work?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that’s grounded in theory and conversations. It provides an empathetic, nonjudgmental, and a safe therapeutic environment that allows you to talk openly with me. I am objective and particularly trained to help you with the problems you’re having.

Cognitive behavioral therapy typically takes place over a limited number of sessions (12 to 20). You shouldn’t expect results immediately. Change doesn't happen overnight. There's no button that's pushed to magically alter everything. Change happens little by little. CBT usually takes time. Think of me as a partner working with you through a process. If we keep working together toward the goals we’ve set, you’ll be able to mark your progress over time.

Here’s how it works:

At the start of therapy, we’ll discuss challenges and struggles you’re dealing with, and any concerns you have. This important first step will help us set goals for your psychotherapy.

Depending on your situation, I may ask you questions. We might discuss an incident in your past, fears or phobias, troubling behaviors or your thoughts and feelings. Together, we’ll explore your answers so you can gain insight into how you respond to challenges in your life.

I will help you recognize problematic thoughts and behaviors. Through conversation, I will encourage you to pay close attention to how you respond to tough situations. We’ll work together to identify emotions, beliefs/thoughts and/or behaviors that may be contributing to your difficulties. I may ask you to keep a journal of these situations and your responses to them.

There's something in which I can help you.

I will help you:

·      find ways to change difficult emotions like sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy, self-criticism, fear, or rejection,

·      find ways to change difficult thoughts such as “life will never get better”, “life has no purpose or meaning”, “what I do doesn't matter, what others think about me is right”, “life can't change”, “I should never have done that”, “life is supposed to be easy”,

·      recognize an irrational thought pattern that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them considering reality,

·      find ways to change difficult behaviors/habits. Examples of challenging behavior include:

o   withdrawn behaviors such as anxiety, shyness, or social isolation,

o   violent behaviors, physical aggression such as kicking or fighting,

o   inappropriate behaviors such as inappropriate conversations, inappropriate touching, self-injury, or compulsive masturbation.

My promise to you.

I will teach you to use problem-solving skills that can help you be a more successful person. We will use role playing to prepare for potentially challenging interactions with others. I will tell you how to face your fears instead of avoiding them and then I will teach you how to calm your mind and relax your body.

Not all CBT will use all these techniques. We will work together, in a collaborative way, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment plan.

How long will you need cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy typically lasts for 12 to 20 weeks. Nevertheless, each person is unique, and mental health conditions are complex, so the length of therapy can vary.

Ready to Make Change?

Are you ready for change? Reach out to me at angelikakolomanska@seksuologpsychoterapeuta.com

Author:

Angelika Kołomańska