Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

 

CBT is based on the fact that the thoughts and feelings we have (many of which are automatic and out-of-awareness), and the behavior we engage in, are all related.  What you feel when depressed or anxious has to do with a cyclical pattern:  negative thought (connected to) distressing emotions (connected to) ineffective or destructive behavior (connected to).....this sequence is then repeated, over and over again, until you feel miserable and stuck. 

 

With CBT, we work to help you become good at noticing when you have gotten stuck in the cycle, and help you learn how to find your way out. 

 

With guidance, support and practice, you will learn:

 

*  How some of the thought habits you have are not useful in any way, and negatively affect how you feel.

 

*  How to get better at knowing what you are feeling, and make productive use of those feelings, rather than letting them overwhelm or sabotage you (i.e., lead you to behaving in ways that don't benefit you.)

 

*  How to choose behavior (vs. automatically reacting) that is more effective in getting you what you want, especially in relationships, both personal and at work. 

 

 

Behavior Therapy 

 

One of the techniques that is very effective for anxiety is a form of behavior therapy, called "exposure."  It is based on the demonstrated fact that if you are exposed, over and over to a feared stimulus, (for example, social events) the fear and anxiety will gradually lessen. If we use exposure in your therapy, we will do it in a very gentle and gradual way, that you will find tolerable and very helpful.