Navigating the complexities of our thoughts and emotions is a challenge we all face. At Achieve Concierge in San Diego, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool for helping you master this challenge. CBT provides a clear, focused and evidence-based solution for understanding how your thoughts and feelings influence your behavior. With our dedicated team, you’ll learn to reshape these thoughts, forging a path toward emotional well-being and resilience. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression or another mental health challenge, CBT can empower you with practical skills for lasting change.
What Is CBT?
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that has revolutionized the way we address mental health. It is grounded in the concept that our mental processes — thoughts, emotions and beliefs — play a fundamental role in shaping our behavior and overall well-being.
Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which often delves into our past experiences, CBT is predominantly focused on the present. It operates on the understanding that while we may not be able to control every aspect of our environment, we can cultivate mastery over our interpretation of and reactions to these circumstances.
At its core, CBT is a goal-oriented and collaborative form of therapy. It engages individuals in identifying and challenging distorted or irrational thought patterns, thereby dismantling the barriers to a healthier and more adaptive lifestyle. This process involves a series of structured steps, where therapists and patients work together to understand problems in terms of the relationship between our thoughts and behaviors.
The Core Concepts of CBT
CBT is based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all connected. The way we think or feel about something affects how we react to it. When these thoughts are negative, it can lead to emotional distress and mental health concerns. Fortunately, another key concept of CBT is that these harmful thought patterns can be changed.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the core principles of CBT include:
- Faulty or negative ways of thinking partly contribute to mental health concerns
- Learned patterns of unhelpful behavior also contribute to psychological issues
- People can change these harmful thought patterns and reframe them into more positive and realistic ways of thinking, relieving their symptoms
At Achieve Concierge, a major focus of CBT is helping individuals become aware of their negative thinking patterns and better understand how these thoughts influence their actions. Our goal is to equip patients with new coping strategies for managing difficult emotions and teaching problem-solving skills to deal with challenging situations more effectively.
What Does Negative Thinking Look Like?
Here are a few examples of what negative thinking might look like in your everyday life and the kinds of behaviors it can lead to.
All-Or-Nothing Thinking
- Example: “I’m not perfect, so I’m a failure.”
- Behavior: This can lead to extreme perfectionism or avoidance of situations where success is not guaranteed, resulting in burnout or anxiety.
Catastrophizing
- Example: “This headache must mean I have a brain tumor or other serious illness.”
- Behavior: This might lead to excessive worry about health, increased anxiety and unnecessary visits to the doctor.
Mind Reading
- Example: “I hear people laughing; why are they laughing at me?”
- Behavior: This can lead to increased social anxiety, becoming more withdrawn and low self-esteem based on perceived judgments.
Personalization
- Example: “My friend didn’t reply to my text; she must be mad at me.”
- Behavior: This may result in strained relationships or unnecessary conflict and lead to heightened anxiety and depression.
Should Statements
- Example: “I should be able to handle this on my own.”
- Behavior: This can lead to suppressed emotions and a reluctance to seek help.
Overgeneralization
- Example: “I made a mistake on this project; I’ll never be good at my job.”
- Behavior: This might lead to decreased job performance, shying away from work-related responsibilities and a reluctance to take on new tasks.
What Can CBT Treat?
CBT is a versatile and evidence-based technique that is effective for a range of mental health concerns. Professionals have found it helpful in treating the following conditions:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Substance use
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
In addition to mental health concerns, CBT can also help people cope with:
- Chronic pain or illness
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Grief or loss
- Relationship problems
- Low self-esteem
- Divorce
- Sudden life changes
CBT’s structured approach, focus on the present and practical strategies make it a highly effective therapy for numerous concerns. At Achieve Concierge, our goal is to help individuals find relief from their symptoms and develop the skills to improve their mental wellness.
CBT at Achieve Concierge
At Achieve Concierge, our approach to CBT is tailored to meet the needs of each individual. Throughout the treatment process, you can expect a highly therapeutic experience that addresses your immediate concerns and integrates seamlessly into a broader, holistic treatment plan. CBT can be combined with medication and other mental health services to address all aspects of your symptoms and help you heal in mind, body and spirit.
What to Expect
- CBT is considered a short-term therapy. Most patients undergo five to 20 treatment sessions, but this may vary depending on your needs.
- CBT is a goal-oriented approach. In your initial sessions, you’ll work with your therapist to identify specific issues to focus on and set achievable goals.
- CBT is collaborative. At Achieve Concierge, we build collaborative relationships with our patients and work closely with each individual to help them reach their goals.
- CBT is varied. There are quite a few techniques that our therapists may use depending on the situation, such as cognitive restructuring, journaling, mindfulness exercises, exposure therapy, role-playing, and more.
We understand that effective healing requires a multifaceted approach, so CBT is often integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that might include medication, lifestyle changes and other therapeutic modalities, ensuring a holistic approach to wellness.
Compassionate, Licensed Therapists With Expert Training
At Achieve Concierge, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care to our patients. Our clinical team includes licensed therapists, counselors and other mental health professionals with extensive training in holistic and evidence-based techniques like CBT. Many of our practitioners have extensive experience working with complex and challenging cases, allowing them to navigate even the most difficult situations with empathy and effectiveness.
In addition to our unparalleled expertise, we also know what it’s like to feel stuck in the journey toward mental wellness. However, we believe that harmful thoughts can be released instead of becoming an anchor that holds you back from health and happiness.
Schedule A Consultation at Achieve Concierge Today
Ready to take the first step toward a healthier mindset? Connect with us at Achieve Concierge to schedule your consultation. Our expert team in San Diego is ready to guide you through cognitive behavioral therapy and help you break free from the cycle of negative thoughts. Get started by calling us at 619-393-5871 or completing our online contact form.