Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Starlite Recovery Center

Discover the general principles and objectives of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts and actions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy includes elements of behavior therapy, which dates to the early 1900s, and cognitive therapy, which was developed in the early 1960s. CBT has been thoroughly studied through the decades. Considerable research has documented CBT’s effectiveness in helping men and women overcome a broad scope of challenges.

CBT sessions help individuals identify and change negative thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs, with the goal of using these mental changes to promote positive behavior patterns. Beneficial outcomes of CBT include improved ability to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and solve problems.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a problem-focused, solution-oriented form of therapy. During CBT sessions, participants work closely with experienced professionals to make specific changes that can yield both immediate and long-term benefits. CBT is a relatively short-term intervention, with participation typically limited to about eight to 12 sessions.

Depending upon the individual’s needs and goals, CBT may be provided as a stand-alone service or as one of many elements within a comprehensive treatment plan. CBT has been effectively included in treatment alongside other forms of therapy and has also been successfully employed in conjunction with certain prescription medications.

Learn who can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

As noted in the previous section, research indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy can be a beneficial form of treatment for individuals of virtually all ages. CBT has also proved to be an effective type of care for people whose lives have been disrupted by a wide range of mental or behavioral health disorders, including the following:

• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Substance use disorders (this is the clinical term for addiction)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other effects of trauma
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia
• Personality disorders
• Compulsive gambling
• Eating disorders

Please note that this is by no means a comprehensive list of all the mental and behavioral health concerns that can be effectively addressed with cognitive behavioral therapy. Also, CBT can help individuals who have been struggling with other challenges, such as the following:

• Chronic pain
• Complex medical challenges
• Grief or loss
• Relationship conflicts
• Poor stress management
• Anger control problems
• Sexual dysfunction

To learn if CBT can help you or someone you care about, speak with your healthcare provider or call Starlite Recovery Center. A member of our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you decide if our treatment center in Center Point, Texas, has the solutions you’ve been seeking.

Discover what occurs during a typical CBT session

Cognitive behavioral therapy sessions are focused, structured meetings during which you will collaborate with a trained professional to achieve clearly identified objectives. As discussed in the first section on this page, CBT is designed to help you change negative or self-defeating thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs as a means of adopting healthier and more productive behavior patterns.

During CBT sessions, you’ll identify the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and actions in relation to certain situations. You may then explore how altering how you feel can prompt a change in how you act. Conversely, you may consider how self-defeating behavioral responses in the past have negatively impacted your emotional health. In both cases, you will strategize how you can think and act in a more productive manner in the future.

CBT sessions can be times to plan for future events and process past experiences. In between CBT sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to practice the new skills and strategies that you’re developing. Then when you meet with your therapist, you can review your experiences, identify your successes and setbacks, and refine your efforts.

Learn how cognitive behavioral therapy can help during and after treatment for addiction

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be an extremely valuable component of a comprehensive treatment plan to treat a person who has been struggling with substance abuse and addiction. CBT can help you change the thought patterns that may have led to your struggles with alcohol and other drugs and resist triggers that may threaten your recovery.

For example, substance abuse is a common, albeit unhealthy, response to overwhelming stress or pressure. CBT sessions can help you develop more effective coping skills, which can decrease the likelihood that you will be tempted to turn to alcohol or other drugs when you encounter similar challenges in the future.

CBT can also encourage you to express and confront negative emotions within a safe and structured treatment environment. Addressing these challenges with the support of an experienced professional can prepare you to respond in healthier ways, without returning to self-defeating behavior patterns such as substance abuse.

To learn more about how cognitive behavioral therapy can help you or someone you care about achieve long-term recovery from addiction, please contact Starlite Recovery Center at your earliest convenience. We look forward to providing you with the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself or your loved one.