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 Columbia, SC 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 (CBT)—Counselors in Columbia, SC
If you are ready to make a change and you are ready for help along the way, know that Thriveworks Columbia offers cognitive behavioral therapy. Our staff specializes in CBT—call our office at (803) 882-3401 to get started today.
Cognitive Distortions: Untrue, Negative Thinking
The reason that negative thoughts have so much power in people’s lives is that thoughts, feelings, and actions all affect one another. Negative thoughts often lead to self-sabotaging actions. These untrue, negative thoughts are called cognitive distortions. The first step in interrupting cognitive distortions before they escalate is usually to simply recognize them. There are many ways people could allow negative thinking to take root in their mind, but a few common ways include:
- Overgeneralization: when people draw a principle from one experience that they then apply indiscriminately and universally. When people struggle with insomnia, they may tell themselves after one restless night that I will never sleep again.
- Emotional reasoning: when people equate what they are feeling about a situation with the external reality of that situation. Many people feel responsibility when they are in no way responsible, such when codependents feel responsibility for an addict’s choices.
- Polarized thinking: when people put all of life into an all-or-nothing category. A situation is either black or white. Shades and grey are not allowed.
- Blaming: when people look for fault in every situation, all the time. Blame, however, does not always need to be doled out.
- Catastrophizing: when people just know the worst outcome possible will occur (despite evidence to the contrary). Life is always on the brink of disaster.
- Control fallacy: when people take too much control or forgo their control. People may assign their own choices to luck, fate, or the universe. On the other side, people may think they caused something that they had no connection to (like when children think they caused their parents to divorce.
- Filtering: when people negate any positive experience so that they only perceive the negative.
- Fallacy of fairness: when people compare and contrast their circumstances with others, using an arbitrary measure of what is right and fair.
What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Do?
Once these cognitive distortions are identified, they can be adjusted. One way that CBT therapists may help their clients change their perspective on a situation is through an exercise called “The Three-Column Technique.” In this exercise, clients make three columns on a blank paper.
- In the first column, clients will record a current scenario happening in their life. For example, they may write that they turned in an assignment late at work.
- In the middle column, clients will record how they are thinking about that scenario. They may say that they are feeling inadequate and incompetent.
- In the third column, they will record truth about the situation where they can focus their attention. They may write that as an employee, this is their first late assignment. Otherwise, they have done well and met their goals. Everyone makes mistakes at times, and one mistake does not make someone incompetent.
CBT at Thriveworks Columbia
If you are ready to meet with a therapist and pursue cognitive behavioral therapy, Thriveworks Columbia has appointments available. When you work with our office, know that we offer evening and weekend appointments. We also accept most forms of insurance.
Let’s get started. Contact Thriveworks Columbia today at (803) 882-3401.
Stress, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, OCD / Obsessive-Compulsive, Sleep / Insomnia, +5 more 
