What to Expect in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Watertown MA
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that assists individuals in understanding and altering their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It has been used to treat various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction issues, and eating disorders. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy for treating various issues; often leading to improvements in symptoms associated with such issues.
If you’re in Watertown and searching for in-person or online therapy, Watertown has plenty of licensed therapists who can assist. Finding the right therapist makes all the difference for your therapy experience. With Zencare, you can filter by insurance and specialty to find a therapist that meets both your personal needs and budget.
If you’re considering starting therapy, Zencare offers online sessions or teletherapy for new clients in Watertown, MA. These providers are typically licensed in your state to provide these services and may be able to accept new patients via telehealth or video call.
Your therapist will likely employ a range of techniques to maximize the benefits from CBT. These might include examining negative thought patterns, learning to recognize automatic thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones, as well as practicing new ways to respond in certain circumstances.
These strategies are typically coupled with homework assignments to reinforce the skills you’re learning in therapy. Activities may include listing things that cause stress or recognizing thoughts that cause anxiety, then practicing relaxation techniques on yourself in a safe space to decompress.
In-session activities that your therapist provides to practice these skills include role-playing to develop social abilities or breaking a difficult task into smaller pieces.
It’s essential to remember that while these techniques can help you feel better, they may not provide a lasting solution for your mental health issues. Unfortunately, symptoms often return after therapy has ended – which is why having an aftercare plan in place once therapy has concluded is so important.
Psychotherapy typically seeks to help you understand and alter your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT takes this process further by developing an intimate relationship with one’s thoughts while teaching you ways to recognize them more helpfully and respond accordingly. With CBT specifically, the therapist will assist in developing such skills so you can better manage these thoughts on a daily basis.
Additionally, you’ll strive to alter your perspective of yourself, your situation and other people in your life. Doing so can help you conquer challenges and strengthen relationships with those around you.
Some CBT treatments employ a combination of methods, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Other therapies will focus on just one or two techniques, like exposure therapy.
Your therapist and you will collaborate to identify your therapy objectives, create a tailored treatment plan, and assess any obstacles or needs along the way. Your therapist is there to support you throughout this journey, guiding you toward successful completion of these tasks.