Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Atlanta

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment method within psychotherapy, known also as talk therapy. Initiated and structured by Dr. Aaron Beck, CBT helps the patient to discover their negative thought patterns. CBT helps the therapist assist the patient in navigating their problems in a more effective way.

The therapy is based on several core principles, including:

• A person’s psychological problems are at least partly based on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking
• Psychological problems are at least partly based on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior
• Those suffering from psychological problems can learn to better cope with them, thereby relieving- their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives

Widely used in addiction treatment, CBT treatment involves efforts to change the patient’s patterns of thinking. Such strategies can include:

• Learning to recognize how one’s current modes of thinking create problems, then re-evaluating them
• Gaining a better understanding of the behaviors and motivations of others
• Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations
• Developing confidence in one’s own abilities

Our cognitive behavioral therapy in Atlanta also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them. As well, someone can use role-playing to prepare for possibly confrontational interactions. Using these strategies, the therapist and patient work together to develop an understanding of the problem and develop a treatment approach.

CBT has demonstrated its helpfulness with a wide range of coping with challenging mental health disorders, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar
• Substance and alcohol use disorders
• Eating disorders

However, one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with a specific mental health disorder to benefit from CBT. It can also help with relationship difficulties, grief or loss, chronic pain, insomnia, and general life stress. Specifically, CBT offers many benefits for those who deal with addiction.

Since addiction usually leads to mental health disorders and behavior problems, CBT aims to discuss these issues and find coping mechanisms and strategies to overcome them. Nevertheless, our therapists will discuss the underlying factors that might have played a role in their addiction. Through this discovery, patients will then explore ways to gain positive thoughts and behaviors.

Numerous research studies suggest CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be just as effective—and sometimes more effective—than other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.

CBT involves efforts in changing negative thoughts and behavior for the better. Strategies include facing one’s fears of reality, learning to calm the mind and body, and preparing for potentially problematic situations, for instance.

Cognitive behavioral therapy in Atlanta teaches those recovering from a substance use disorder to become more mindful. In this, they can find the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. As a result, they can then increase awareness of how these aspects impact recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapists empower patients in addiction recovery to identify their negative “automatic thoughts.” Automatic thoughts are based on impulse and often stem from internalized feelings of fear and self-doubt. Learning how to cope and instill a calming mind through stressful moments will help eliminate the negative automatic thoughts that develop through addiction.

Addiction changes people in very negative ways. With treatment and discussion, they will be able to have a healthy mental state and develop close relationships that might have been difficult to maintain. When someone goes through substance abuse, there are many times when family members notice a change in their behavior. The stress in behavior heightens the need for more substances.

The risk of relapse is necessary to discuss and explore. There are many ways our therapists will offer beneficial skills to overcome these desires. Some people self-medicate their emotional and mental pain with alcohol and drugs. However, by continually revisiting painful memories, those in CBT reduce the pain they feel. Then, they learn positive behaviors to replace their alcohol or drug use.

CBT aims to evaluate any negative thoughts and behaviors that have developed because of drug or alcohol addiction. This is considered a type of talk therapy in a one-on-one session with a licensed therapist. While a discussion is the main factor in CBT, there are many strategies our therapists will implement in the sessions.

These strategies include:

• Relaxed breathing
• Roleplaying potential stressful situations 
• Unraveling cognitive distortions 
• A mindful focus on physical relaxation
• Cognitive restructuring
• Exposure and response prevention
• And more

These strategies are meant to help someone overcome stressful situations and to handle them in healthy ways. Being overwhelmed by stressful and negative behaviors is not a burden they need to bare for any longer. With CBT, our sessions are not designed to endure alone. In fact, patients will work with our staff in developing skills and techniques to stay calm. Thus, they can display positive behaviors when they are ready to continue their daily lives. 

CBT is not an easy form of therapy to work through. It challenges patients in overcoming stressful situations and learning to approach them in healthy ways. Knowing how CBT works helps someone decide if it’s ideal for them when choosing the right rehab to attend. We are here to help patients overcome the challenges in their life to live happily and healthily.

Patients who undergo cognitive behavioral therapy in Atlanta may notice improvements in their overall moods, social interactions, and behaviors. They can also experience fewer hospitalizations and injuries. Additionally, they experience less anger, lower severe suicidal behaviors, and have much better relationships.

According to National Institution on Drug Abuse, some of the benefits specifically related to CBT include:

• The duration of CBT tends to be shorter and therefore more affordable than other types of therapy. Five to 20 sessions are typical.
• CBT boasts long-term results. Research on depression suggests those who underwent CBT were less likely to relapse than those who took antidepressant medications without therapy.
• Sessions are flexible and offered in various formats. These include individual or group sessions and in-person or remote sessions.
• CBT is available and effective with or without medication. Some patients may only need CBT while others may find it a useful complement to the medications they are taking.

Another benefit to CBT is that a person is not alone when discovering ways to cope. Our therapists will work with them to find out what the best approach to recovery is. CBT is known to help the mind and body in many ways.

This will allow for an easier life to live and a better quality of life overall. CBT at Empowered Recovery Center will allow someone to transition back to their daily life through beneficial discussion and techniques to make them live life to the fullest.

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental disorder or needs support, or wonder if you need rehab, it may be time for them to consider cognitive behavioral therapy in Atlanta. Having negative thoughts and behaviors on a daily basis is not normal. Your body and mind struggle with stressful behavior.

Change the way you perceive your reality through CBT. Talking with a professional therapist about the difficulties you face will help you understand your situation better. As a result, you will find ways to cope and develop positive thoughts and behavior. Contact Empowered Recovery Center today to begin your journey to recovery and a more satisfying, and rewarding life.