Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a very common form of talk therapy used to treat the familiar symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as trouble concentrating, absence of motivation and energy, over/under eating and sleeping, and general restlessness or irritability. It can also be helpful with trauma, addictions, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
You can expect to focus on identifying thinking and behavioral patterns that happen after a given trigger (situation, emotion, feeling in the body). As these patterns become known, we would then identify ways your brain creates a negative perception of yourself and your world. These cognitive distortions are challenged and replaced with more factual ideas and thoughts.
CBT has been shown to be effective for a number of diagnosis: anxiety, mood, eating disorders, and PTSD to name a few. It is appropriate for all populations: ages 3 and up, and varied functioning levels. It requires practice on a daily level, outside of session.
Therapists: Lee Ann
More information can be found on the American Psychological Association’s and The Mayo Clinic’s websites.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a well researched and highly effective form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), used specifically for PTSD. It was developed by Patricia Resick in the late 1980’s. If a traumatic event (vehicle accident, assault, war, near death experience) is left unprocessed, it can result in a constant state of fear, anxiety or PTSD. These symptoms are based on new beliefs about the world such as ‘the world is unsafe’ or ‘bad things only happen to bad people, so I must be bad’.
This structured treatment focuses on beliefs about the trauma, not the trauma itself. Worksheets are completed both in session and as homework, beliefs are evaluated for accuracy and validity. In an average of 12 sessions, the brain is taught to re-think how it views the trauma, and the world, resulting in symptom reduction.
Ideal clients for CPT are those that have experienced a trauma. You also have to be willing to do work (worksheets) outside of the session, daily.
Therapists: Heather
For more information, visit these websites from the developers and the VA.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is another form of CBT, using mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness to address unhealthy thought patterns. The developer, Linehan, defines DBT as ‘synthesis or integration of opposites’. The emotional parts and the thinking parts of the brain are taught to work together, rather than against one another. This new harmony allows you to experience painful emotions, with the knowledge that they won’t last forever and that you have tools to help manage them.
What can I expect from DBT? You can expect an individualized treatment plan based upon your life experiences and current triggers. Your therapist will discuss various concepts with you, then help you with worksheets and homework to implement the skills taught in session. Some DBT centers offer group settings and phone coaching.
DBT was initially developed to support those that experience Borderline Personality Disorder and Suicidal Ideation. It’s also helpful with depressionsion, anxiety, PTSD and addictions. It is appropriate for clients that are about 13 years old and older, and those that are willing to do homework outside the session. There must also be a willingness to try the skills learned, rather than jumping to old, unhealthy habits. It is not appropriate for people with significant intellectual disabilities or severe psychosis.
Learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy.