Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat a wide range of issues. It’s often the preferred type of psychotherapy because it can quickly help you identify and cope with specific challenges.
CBT generally focuses on specific problems, using a goal-oriented approach. Treatment generally lasts between 6-20 sessions.
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Types of Therapies
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center of Hawaii offers several different treatment approaches, all within the family of cognitive therapies.
These include:
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Evaluation and Treatment Planning
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Evaluation and Treatment Planning
Starting therapy begins with an initial interview to understand your needs and to review key issues. This often includes an intake discussion and a few easy-to-fill-out questionnaires. When this is complete, we present you with a treatment plan that outlines your next steps.
This plan might just involve therapy sessions, but it could also include suggestions for other services like a medical check-up or more specific types of treatment. The goal is to ensure that the treatment is tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances.
Types of Therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, known as CBT, is an established therapeutic strategy that hinges on several essential principles. Its core tenet is the capacity to enact change in the present, despite the influence of past experiences on our present thinking and responses.
CBT asserts that our thoughts greatly influence our emotional state and behavior. By consciously observing our thoughts, assessing their validity, and modifying those that are detrimental, we can effect meaningful change. Often, these thoughts stem from ingrained beliefs or perspectives that may be flawed or distorted. These inaccuracies can contribute to disproportionate feelings of depression, anxiety, or anger. However, the process of reshaping these beliefs can foster improved mental well-being and functional living.
Years of rigorous research highlight the efficacy of CBT. It has demonstrated comparable effectiveness to medication in addressing depression and anxiety and is considered the leading treatment for conditions like recurrent panic attacks and post-traumatic recovery.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a short but impactful form of psychotherapy, designed to be delivered over the course of eight sessions. This therapeutic approach primarily aids those who have recovered from depression in staying depression-free, and has also been extended to address other mental health concerns such as anxiety.
MBCT is rooted in the practice of mindfulness, a mental state characterized by a non-judgmental focus on the present moment. This method equips patients with skills to interrupt the cycle of depressive thinking before it begins. Through MBCT, individuals learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without being carried away by them, which in turn fosters psychological resilience in the face of life’s inevitable challenges.
This form of therapy promotes a healthier relationship with one’s internal experiences and emotions. By encouraging a shift in perspective, MBCT allows individuals to lead fulfilling lives, not bound by past patterns of thinking and reacting. It emphasizes the transformative power of awareness and the importance of living more in the present, resulting in enhanced resilience and overall well-being.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
When we have difficult thoughts and feelings, it’s natural to react in ways that can unintentionally amplify these challenges. This is where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT (said just like the word “act”), comes into play. ACT guides patients in learning to accept their inner and outer world experiences, and shows how to manage tough emotions so they’re less disruptive and powerful. The end goal? To focus on living a life that’s true to their highest values, replacing the struggles of anxiety, depression, and other emotional discomforts with a broader sense of acceptance and capacity to lead a fulfilling life.
Even more than traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ACT emphasizes making the here-and-now more manageable, rather than dwelling on the past or the future. People who engage with ACT are better equipped to identify their personal values, even in tough times, and commit to making decisions that align with these values. As the saying goes, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” ACT helps you discover what truly matters to you and then encourages you to take steps to live a life that’s rich with purpose.