Our therapists offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in West Bloomfield, MI

Curtis: CBT is an effective approach for individuals who cannot seem to change a behavior despite the desire or need to do so. Thoughts/feelings, whether conscious or not, guide so much of what we do. Assisting clients in bringing cognition(s) to light while connecting them to the targeted behavior change is rewarding and at times seems magical for the client. The discovery that change is possible and you have more power than you believe is one of the most beneficial parts of therapy.

Megan: My go-to approach for CBT is to educate clients on cognitive distortions and begin working on CBT thought-challenging and reframing.

Carri: My go-to approach for helping people in cognitive behavioral therapy is what I call dialing back. We reflect on the area of distress to see if we can find the source; then we find strategies to lessen the impact of the painful situation.

Curtis: I teach the following in CBT:

• The thought cycle
• Influencing change in the cycle
• Negative vs productive thinking
• Thinking errors and defense mechanisms
• Reframing
• Automatic thoughts
• Recognition of thoughts/feelings
• Connecting cognition to behavior
• Schemas
• Promoting change/overcoming challenges
• Self-evaluation

Megan: I teach the following tools using CBT:

• Grounding techniques (helps one stay in the present moment)
• Cognitive restructuring (helps one challenge and change unhelpful thought patterns)
• Mindfulness (helps one stay in the present moment and challenge negative thoughts and feelings)
• Challenging cognitive distortions (helps one change unhelpful thoughts)

Carri: I teach mindfulness and reflection during cognitive behavioral therapy. I help clients understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Curtis: I know that meaningful progress has been made when the client is able to identify thoughts/feelings and recognize the impact of these thoughts/feelings on the desired change.

Megan: I know a client is making meaningful progress during CBT when their symptoms have decreased and they are able to challenge or reframe unhelpful or negative thoughts.

Carri: I know a client is making meaningful progress in cognitive behavioral therapy when I hear them reflect on a stressful situation with a feeling of confidence that they were able to manage the situation without falling apart.

Curtis: Clients can practice reading, journaling, moving situations through the thought cycle, and personal reflections.

Megan: Clients can supplement their time in CBT therapy with journaling, keeping a thought/mood log, de-catastrophizing exercises, reaching out to informal supports, and utilizing other coping skills learned in therapy. There are also CBT and relaxation apps that can be used for exercises.

Carri: Clients can supplement their time in cognitive behavioral therapy with thought journaling. Pausing to notice your feelings is a necessary part of healing.

Curtis: Be open. There is no such thing as a wrong feeling; you will not be judged. The more that is shared, the more the therapist can work with you to create an effective treatment plan. Watch for negative thoughts. Oftentimes, people will feel embarrassed, question their worth, or fear what is to come. Feeling these emotions can lead a person to not be active in their care for their mental health. When you enter therapy, you are joining a team—a team where the therapist's only goal is to help the client achieve theirs. We work with you—you are the core to success and we are here to be your partner in the change journey.

Megan: To prepare for your first CBT therapy session, clients can begin to journal their daily moods. This will help with determining current behaviors and thought patterns. This will also help with creating a treatment plan.

Carri: To prepare for their first cognitive behavioral therapy session, an individual can look for patterns, such as, whenever ____ happens, I feel ____.