Have you ever read an intense story or watch a scary movie that really made you feel something? Maybe you’ve felt fear while the main character wanders slowly down a dark tunnel, anger when the bad guy gets his way, or joy when there is a happy ending afterall. It seems obvious that stories or movies can make us feel… but why? We aren’t creeping down that dark tunnel, and the happily ever after isn’t our own.

The answer is actually quite simpler than you think. Being in a dark tunnel does not cause fear. It’s what you think about being in a dark tunnel that causes fear. In other words: Your thoughts have the power to control your emotions.

This is where cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) plays a role.  In a session using CBT, you will develop awareness of your unhealthy thinking patterns in your everyday life that are causing painful emotions or other problems.  Catastrophizing, black and white thinking, and fortune telling are examples of just a few.  These patterns in thinking can be very common to all of us however doing them on a long term basis can cause anxiety, depression, anger, and other issues. Once learning how to challenge old faulty thoughts and develop new ones, you will learn to change how you feel.

CBT can help with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance dependency
• Persistent pain
• Disordered eating
• Sexual issues
• Anger management issues

Most people with clearly defined behavioral and emotional concerns tend to reap the benefits of CBT. If any of the above issues resonate with you, I encourage you to try cognitive behavioral therapy.

With CBT, you’ll be able to adjust the thoughts that directly influence your emotions and behavior. This adjustment process is referred to as cognitive reconstructing, which happens through different CBT techniques.

Some CBT techniques are:

• Journalling
• Challenging beliefs
• Relaxation
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Social, physical and thinking exercises

Cognitive behavioral therapy is much more than sitting and talking about whatever comes to mind during a session. CBT sessions are structured to ensure that the therapist and the person in treatment are focused on the different goals of each session, which in turn ensures that each and every session is productive.  In addition, there are other types of CBT that can be utilized and this includes Dialetical Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.  As the client’s needs are assessed all therapies will be considered to make an collaborative, individualized plan.

If you or someone you know would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, please contact Tara Kryman, LPC today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.