Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques

Thanks to technology, the medical industry has been able to create psychotropic drugs. However, these drugs come with severe side effects. On the one hand, these drugs are essential. On the other hand, the side effects can severely affect a patient’s progress. What if there was a safer method to help treat and manage brain disorders?

This method does exist. It is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The cognitive-behavioral therapy program in NC at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery offers women the safe psychotherapy they need. Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques focus on the significance of essential thoughts. CBT also focuses on how each idea defines how we think and feel. Over the years, therapists have come up with different cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. Here are some popular cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques that could help you overcome your mental health and addiction problems.

Experimental Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques

The most common technique of cognitive therapy is behavioral experiments. Before a therapist can start treatment, they have to understand your thought process. And, the first step to doing so is conducting thought tests.

Behavioral experiments allow you to approach the situation differently. And, ultimately achieve a particular goal. On the one hand, you may beat yourself up for doing it. On the other hand, that does not have to be your responsibility to minimize a particular habit.

Scheduling Pleasant Activity For Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques

Planning pleasant activities is one of the many effective cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques. It is quite helpful for depression patients. This method allows you to come up with a pleasant activity every day that you don’t normally do. Alternatively, you can choose to do something every day that gives you skill, accomplishment, and competence.

Imagery Based Exposure

Another cognitive-therapy technique is the use of images to provoke a memory. For this technique, therapists use images that incite negative emotions. For instance, it can be an image of you after a particular life-changing incident. The image exposes your emotions. The image and your feeling allow the therapist to note down your behavioral urges. The more a patient sees the picture, the more the negative emotions subside.

Thought Records

Thought records are also an excellent technique therapists use to test a patient’s thoughts. For instance, patients who get negative feedback after a test might assume that their superior hates them. However, once they look at the records objectively, they can come to a different conclusion. This process helps change a patient’s belief by allowing them to acquire a logical thought process.