Oro House uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in our Los Angeles and Malibu recovery centers as an evidence-based method for treating addiction and mental health conditions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of short-term psychotherapy that focuses on a person’s dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how they influence each other.
The focus of CBT is to help a person cope with emotional problems and change destructive patterns by challenging distorted cognitions and automatic negative thoughts.
In short, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy brings awareness to how the thought process influences a client’s actions, how they deal with emotional challenges, and the impact this has on behavior.
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What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Useful For?
Psychiatrist Aaron Beck developed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the 1960s as a new approach for treating patients with depression by overcoming negative thought patterns.
CBT is one of the primary foundations of psychotherapy treatment methods today, and is used for a wide range of mental health conditions.
It is rooted in scientific evidence and is effective for children, teens and adults.
CBT has shown to be successful for treating the following conditions:
- Depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Personality Disorders
- Stress Management
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Drug and Alcohol Addiction
- Panic Attacks
- Eating Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Low Self-Esteem
- Insomnia and Sleep Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Grief
- Relationship Problems
The Goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is to help a person learn how to recognize negative thought patterns, evaluate the validity of these thoughts, and replace them with healthier ways of thinking.
CBT is a beneficial tool for clients to change distorted perceptions, self-defeating beliefs, and errors in thinking that play a contributing factor in mental health issues and drug or alcohol addiction.
The Therapist’s Role in CBT
Because Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy treatment, no two treatments are identical.
Depending on the needs and personality of each client, more focus may be put on establishing deep rooted thinking patterns (psychotherapy) or on the ways our thoughts directly influence problematic behavior (behavioral therapy).
It is the job of the CBT therapist to work in tandem with the client to identify emotional difficulties and create a plan to overcome them.
Through the process of CBT therapy, clients gain a new understanding and insight of their own negative thought patterns and learn techniques that will benefit them for life.
Stages of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
There are many useful techniques available with CBT, such as creating SMART Goals, Thought Recording, Journaling, etc.
Finding the most appropriate techniques usually depends on the individual needs and circumstances that best suit each client.
In addition to the techniques, CBT often follows a series of stages from early sessions to the point where the client becomes self-sufficient using the techniques on their own. Here is a general outline of the progression of stages.
Assessment Stage
In the Assessment Stage, it is the therapist’s goal to build a foundation with their client. It’s important that the therapist not only gets to know their client, but also for the client to feel comfortable working with his or her therapist.
During this stage, the patient and therapist work together to identify problems, discuss goals, and plan the treatment.
Cognitive Stage
In the Cognitive Stage, the client and therapist work together to understand the client’s way of thinking. Time is often spent discussing events that may have led to unhelpful thoughts and attitudes.
Behavioral Stage
The Behavioral Stage occurs when the information gathered during the Cognitive Stage is evaluated and applied. Once the client understands how their distorted perception has directly affected their behavior, they can work with their therapist to identify new thought patterns that will lead to more positive behaviors.
Learning Stage
In the Learning Stage, the client and therapist review the principles of the therapy, ensuring the changes that have been made are permanent. When the client learns how to apply these coping mechanisms on their own, they are less likely to require more therapy in the future.
Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Beneficial
Because Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides clients with the coping skills necessary to handle difficult emotions, they learn to challenge their distorted cognitions and negative behavior without the help of a therapist.
Through strategies such as learning to face fears, understanding how to calm the mind and body, and preparing for difficult interactions with others, clients learn to act as their own therapist.
While CBT does require an understanding of the client’s history, the focus of this therapy is on what is currently happening in the client’s life. This method encourages forward motion and the understanding of effective ways to cope with life’s difficulties.
At Oro House, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy follows our model of healing as it requires that our therapists and clients work together.
It also gives our clients the tools necessary to live healthy, positive, and independent lives after leaving our care. CBT provides the coping mechanisms necessary for a successful recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is just one of many treatment therapies we use at Oro House.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shares many similarities to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and deciding whether to use CBT vs DBT for a particular condition can best be answered by the treatment team.
Our comprehensive program utilizes the most effective therapies based each person’s assessment, needs, and goals for a successful recovery.
We are licensed by the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) and Joint Commission Accredited to provide excellent patient care.
In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Oro House was recognized by Newsweek as Best Addiction Treatment Center in America and California.