Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) includes several types of treatment proven to help people overcome many life and mental health challenges. Tamara Elassal, LPC, NCC, and the caring psychiatry and mental health therapists at Mind Meadow in Fairfax, Virginia, work closely with each person, helping them restore a fulfilling life by using CBT to change negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Call the office today or use online booking to request an in-person or telemedicine appointment to learn how CBT can improve your mental health. 

What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)? 

CBT is a talk therapy focusing on how thoughts and perceptions influence emotions and behaviors. Flawed or distorted thoughts cause negative emotions and damaging or undesirable behaviors. During CBT, you improve behaviors by learning to change your thoughts.

What mental health conditions does CBT treat?

Your Mind Meadow therapist may recommend CBT for the following mental health disorders:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Insomnia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

CBT can also help you deal with everyday challenges like stress, anger, and low self-esteem.

Does CBT include other therapeutic approaches?

CBT is a specific therapy and an umbrella term for numerous therapies that follow the same principles. The following are only a few examples:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Many people are unaware of automatic or habitual thoughts and whether those thoughts reflect the actual circumstance. Learning to identify and change your thoughts lets you purposefully choose how to behave instead of reacting based on negative or distorted concepts.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

DBT teaches skills for managing intense emotions, improving communication, and building relationships. This type of CBT also focuses on mindfulness, helping you to live in the present instead of worrying about the past or future.

Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT)

TF-CBT helps you confront and change distressing and negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors caused by trauma.

CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)

CBT-I improves your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep with techniques that promote relaxation and improve sleep habits.

What happens during CBT sessions?

You begin by talking with your Mind Meadow therapist, exploring your current challenges, and identifying the goal you want to achieve during CBT.

Each type of CBT uses a slightly different technique. However, they all follow a more structured approach than other talk therapies.

For example, your therapist may ask you to take notes about an anxiety-producing event that occurs during the following week. At your next session, you discuss that situation, exploring your thoughts and emotions and learning other ways to look at and respond to the situation.

CBT helps you overcome life problems and mental health disorders whether you schedule individual therapy or want to have group therapy and work with others who share the same challenges.

Call Mind Meadow today or use online booking to schedule an appointment and explore how CBT can improve your mental health.