turnerwood
Marriage and Family Therapy, Inc.
Offices in Elk Grove and Online
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the #1 recommended psychotherapy by medical doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists worldwide.
CBT is the gold standard for evidence-based treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, anger management, phobias, chronic pain, and addiction.
We are here to help!
Our therapists are "the CBT specialists" with thousands of hours of clinical experience and training.
How does it work?
CBT therapy involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns that impact feelings and behaviors, learning coping skills to manage problems, and setting specific, achievable goals to reframe negative thinking into a more positive outlook.
Key aspects include becoming aware of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, recognizing and reframing unhelpful thinking, and developing practical skills for problem-solving and emotional regulation.
The Core Principles
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Thoughts Influence Feelings and Behaviors: The central principle is that your perception of an event, rather than the event itself, causes your emotional and behavioral reactions.
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Focus on the Present: CBT primarily addresses current problems and symptoms, rather than focusing extensively on past experiences.
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Structured and Time-Limited: Therapy follows a structured plan and is typically a short-term treatment, often ranging from six (6) to 20 sessions.
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Collaborative Effort: The therapist and client work as a team to identify challenges, set goals, and develop strategies for change.
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Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency: A main goal is to equip clients with tools and skills to manage their symptoms independently and prevent relapse.
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Active Participation (Homework): Clients are expected to practice skills and complete assignments (e.g. thought records, behavioral experiments) outside of sessions to reinforce learning and apply it to daily life.
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Thought Records/Journaling: Clients write down upsetting situations, the automatic thoughts that occurred, associated feelings, and then evaluating evidence for and against those thoughts to develop a more balanced perspective.
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Behavioral Activation: Scheduling and engaging in activities that provide a sense of pleasure or accomplishment, especially for individuals experiencing low motivation or depression.
