What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
At Thriveworks, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and evidence-based form of psychotherapy or talk therapy. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors that can contribute to various mental health issues or challenges that people are struggling with.
What does a cognitive behavioral therapist do?
Cognitive behavioral therapists specialize in Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and can help you to identify and comprehend your thought patterns, which often encompass automatic negative thoughts, cognitive distortions, and self-defeating beliefs. Once these negative thought patterns are pinpointed, cognitive behavioral therapists aim to challenge and replace them with the objective of fostering more constructive and logical thinking. In addition, these therapists place significant emphasis on implementing positive behavioral changes based on the newly established, healthier thought patterns.
What is CBT best for?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for addressing conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors, making it well-suited for issues related to distorted thinking and emotional regulation.
How much does a CBT session cost?
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
What is the success rate of CBT?
The success rate of CBT varies depending on the intentions of the client and their condition(s).
What is better: CBT or DBT?
The selection between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is based on an individual’s unique needs and challenges. CBT is commonly chosen for addressing conditions such as anxiety and depression, whereas DBT is especially beneficial for individuals dealing with borderline personality disorder, emotional regulation issues, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Is CBT conducted in person or online?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with our Thriveworks therapists in Amherst, MA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How many sessions is CBT?
Generally, CBT is considered a short-term therapy, typically lasting for about 12 to 20 weekly sessions. In some cases, it might extend to around 16 to 20 sessions for more complex issues.
Need more help deciding?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Amherst, MA—Therapist and Counselors Teaching CBT Techniques
You have been looking forward to meeting with a friend that you have not seen for some time. The night before you planned to meet, your friend contacts you and says something unavoidable happened and he won’t be able to make the meeting. Your first thought is that you hope everyone is alright. But soon your thoughts change, and you wonder if your friend ever intended to meet with you. You perseverate on this idea wondering if something you said in the past has made him angry. You experience mixed feelings of guilt and anger that persist no matter what you try to do.
Another time, you are trying to write an important essay for school. You have prepared by researching your topic weeks in advance. However, the day before your paper is due you simply stare at a blank sheet of paper. For some reason you have a mental block. As time passes you experience growing anxiety. The more you try to concentrate, the more anxious you become. You realize that if you don’t finish the paper that you will lose sleep and you experience more anxiety. You may even become a bit depressed. You wonder if there is some way of controlling these feelings that just seem to be bringing you down.
If you experience these or similar harmful thought patterns or cognitive distortions, the cognitive behavioral therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Amherst can help you. You can schedule an appointment by calling (413) 634-4805.
What is Cognitive Dissonance?
We would like our thoughts and beliefs to always be in harmony. However, sometimes how we think and how we feel can be in opposition to each other. When our cognitions and emotions are not based on evidence, the resulting distortions can cause what is called “cognitive dissonance.”This dissonance can also result in conflicts between our beliefs and our behavior. We may not even realize these contradictions in our beliefs, emotions or behavior resulting in “blind spots” in our actions and speech that can be detrimental to our productivity and relationships. Other possible results from cognitive dissonance include:
- Emotional reasoning:A negative perspective on reality based on one’s emotions rather than evidence;
- Polarized thinking:Having a world view based on rigid dichotomies, for example, things are either black or white, yes or no;
- Control fallacy:A tendency to micro-manage in response to one’s own insecurities;
- Blame Shifting:Impulsively assigning to blame for every situation, usually to someone other than ourselves;
- Overgeneralization:Applying one’s own personal experiences as a norm or universal rule for all experiences;
- Catastrophizing:Evaluating circumstances as a worse-case scenario usually with a sense of eminent sense of doom;
- Fallacy of fairness:Applying a sense of fairness that is not based on evidence and that usually favoring the one doing the evaluating;
- Filtering:Strictly focusing on the negative aspects of any situation and disregarding the positive aspects.
Cognitive Behavior Therapists at Thriveworks Amherst are skilled in recognizing all these tendencies and are experienced in using the proper therapeutic techniques to treat them.
The CBT Process
The trained counselor or therapist at Thriveworks Amherst, utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy, will help the client conflicts and distortions. An important first step in this process is for the Cognitive Behavior Therapist to develop a relationship with the person seeking help that is based on mutual trust and unconditional acceptance. The cognitive behavior therapist will also help teach the client to:
- Identify these harmful thoughts
- Identify setting events that trigger destructive patterns
- Train the client in an evidence-based approach to evaluate situations
- Teach alternative ways of addressing these thoughts and feelings
- Shape the person’s ability to recognize positive consequences for these alternate responses.
There are clinicians, therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Amherst trained in the use of with Cognitive Behavior Therapy that have many years of experience treating a range of mental health conditions using CBT techniques. These include:
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Stress Inoculation
- Relaxation Training
- Guided Imagery
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
The cognitive behavior therapists at Thriveworks Amherst will work with you to select a method or combination of methods that will be right for that individual.
Get Help Today
Cognitive behavioral therapists like those at Thriveworks Amherst have helped scores of individuals to overcome emotional and behavior burdens to live fruitful and happier lives. It can help you too so contact us at (413) 634-4805. We accept most insurance plans. So, call Thriveworks Amherst today.
