A fast-paced lifestyle can make it challenging to keep stress under control. When stress becomes chronic, you are more vulnerable to substance use disorders and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. However, you do not have to settle for feeling tired and stressed out. A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program can teach you the skills you need to manage stress and address problems more effectively.
When you need a CBT program in Texas, you can count on Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston. Our cognitive behavioral therapy treatment can help you overcome mental health and addiction struggles. Call us at 866.516.8356 to learn more about how our CBT program can help you manage all that life throws your way.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that emphasizes the impact of thoughts on feelings and behaviors. By helping the client make this connection, the therapist empowers them to adjust unhelpful thoughts and spark healthier behaviors. Behavioral change is the core purpose of cognitive behavioral therapy. However, its approach differs from traditional talk therapy, where the person may delve through their past to identify reasons for their current struggles.
The basic idea that a therapist wants to instill in the client is:
- Thoughts lead to feelings.
- Feelings lead to behaviors.
- This cycle can then develop into a pattern.
This pattern can work for or against you, depending on the quality of your thoughts.
For example, you may think about all the bad things at work that day. Then you start feeling depressed and hopeless about your ability to find happiness at your job. You may engage in destructive behaviors like drinking, taking drugs, or binge eating to comfort yourself and numb your emotional discomfort. If you bring this negative mindset into work with you the next day, you will likely encounter more reasons to feel stressed about work. The cycle would then continue, and if you repeatedly engage in harmful behaviors, they can develop into an addiction.
What Techniques Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Use?
Within cognitive behavioral therapy, therapists may use various treatment techniques. Your therapist will assess your situation and determine which methods may be most helpful for you. Some techniques used in a cognitive behavioral therapy program are:
Cognitive Restructuring
The example given in the previous section demonstrates cognitive restructuring or reframing. You examine your thoughts and identify those that are not helping you, then restructure or reframe your thoughts to reflect the mindset you wish to cultivate. Many people find that shifting their negative thoughts toward more positive ones helps them feel better quickly and allows them to change their unhealthy behaviors more easily.
Role-Playing
A therapist helps you practice new ways to respond to real-life situations through role-playing. You will learn problem-solving strategies, and then the therapist will walk you through a problem you may encounter so that you have the opportunity to make a healthier choice. This better prepares you for triggers and temptations, so you are not caught off guard.
Stress Reduction
Stress is often one of the top causes of substance abuse and mental health struggles. By providing you with multiple stress reduction techniques, you can try each and find those that work best for you. One common CBT method teaches the client different stress reduction techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, creative visualization, and progressive relaxation. While you can use these strategies during stressful situations, they are also helpful for maintaining your inner peace when practiced regularly.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy involves gradual exposure to situations that invoke discomfort, like fear or anxiety. Your therapist may help prepare you for exposure therapy with stress reduction techniques to calm your mind before exposure. Then you may utilize the techniques again as needed to minimize your discomfort.
Support Your Mental Health at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
Untreated mental health conditions can quickly lead to substance abuse and addiction. But better mental health and healing are just a phone call away. When you experience stress, depression, or anxiety, reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356 to enroll in our cognitive behavioral therapy treatment.
