Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
You are likely seeking therapy because aspects of your life feel unmanageable. Finding the right tools and therapeutic guidance can help you make the necessary changes in your life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on examining and changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. CBT tends to be a short-term approach that is highly-effective for many with empirically-tested techniques supporting an increase in skills and a change in behaviors. CBT is an effective solution for a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression and addictions/substance abuse.
More helpful information about cognitive behavioral therapy…
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based psychotherapy approach that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Developed by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, CBT is grounded in the idea that our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations of events significantly influence our emotions and behaviors. By identifying and challenging negative or distorted thinking patterns, CBT aims to help individuals develop more adaptive ways of thinking and coping with life's challenges.
Here are some key principles and techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Cognitive Restructuring: CBT involves identifying and challenging cognitive distortions—unhelpful or irrational thoughts and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress. Through cognitive restructuring, clients learn to recognize and reframe negative thoughts into more balanced and realistic alternatives. This process helps to reduce emotional distress and improve coping strategies.
Behavioral Activation: CBT emphasizes the importance of behavioral changes in improving mood and well-being. Therapists help clients identify and engage in activities that bring them a sense of pleasure, accomplishment, and mastery. Behavioral activation aims to increase positive reinforcement and counteract patterns of avoidance and withdrawal.
Exposure Therapy: In cases of anxiety disorders, CBT often incorporates exposure techniques to help clients confront feared situations or stimuli in a controlled and gradual manner. Exposure therapy involves systematically facing feared objects, activities, or situations to reduce anxiety and desensitize the individual to their triggers.
Skills Training: CBT may include teaching clients specific skills and techniques to manage symptoms and improve coping strategies. These skills may include relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, communication skills, assertiveness training, and stress management techniques.
Homework Assignments: CBT often includes homework assignments between therapy sessions to reinforce learning and practice new skills in real-life situations. Homework assignments may involve keeping thought records, practicing relaxation exercises, or engaging in behavioral experiments to test out new ways of thinking and behaving.
Collaborative and Time-Limited: CBT is typically a collaborative and structured form of therapy, with clear goals and an active partnership between therapist and client. Treatment is often time-limited and focused on specific goals, with an emphasis on achieving measurable improvements within a relatively short period.
Empirical Validation: CBT is grounded in empirical research and has a strong evidence base for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
Integration of Mindfulness: Some contemporary forms of CBT integrate mindfulness techniques, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These approaches incorporate mindfulness practices to help individuals cultivate present-moment awareness, acceptance, and emotion regulation skills.
In conclusion, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a flexible and practical approach to therapy that can be tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each individual. It empowers clients to become active agents in their own healing process, equipping them with tools and strategies to effectively manage symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
About Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan
Kimberly Seelbrede, LCSW is a New York State licensed Psychotherapist, EMDR Practitioner and Couple Therapist with a private practice in New York City, Montana and virtually. As a wellness psychotherapist and holistic consultant, she has receive advanced, extensive training in Trauma Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Nutrition & Integrative Medicine For Mental Health. She is passionate about honoring the exquisite interplay of the mind-body connection. Kimberly Seelbrede specializes in anxiety & mood disorders, trauma and women’s mental health. She brings over 20 years of counseling, coaching, and healing experience to her holistic practice and transformational work.
In addition to online therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship struggles, Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness offers a wide variety of online services to fit the needs of busy professionals. New Yorkers often lead fast-paced and complex lives, which makes work-life balance and managing career, family and social obligations a challenge. Psychotherapy and wellness practices provides the support to help clients cultivate resources, resilience and enhanced emotional health, as well as uncover conflicts and obstacles that may interfere with having the life they desire.