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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Programs for Treatment and Counseling

A MISSION FOR MICHAEL

17 minutes read
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used therapeutic approaches among mental health treatment providers. Cognitive therapy is an evidence-based approach that is backed by decades of research. It’s just one of the therapeutic approaches available at A Mission For Michael (AMFM) in California, Washington, and Virginia.

AMFM Mental Health Treatment Centers offer CBT for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and more. We treat various mental health and dual diagnosis conditions. Our comprehensive treatment programs include psychotherapy, group therapy, and educational sessions. We’re now going to focus on cognitive behavioral therapy and how we implement it into our counseling services. This can help you understand how our use of CBT can support you in your recovery.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Aaron Beck developed cognitive behavioral therapy in the 1960s to treat depression. Since then, research has supported the use of CBT for OCD, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and more. CBT can be incorporated into residential and outpatient treatment settings, as well as individual therapy and group therapy sessions.

One of the important frameworks of CBT is known as the ABC Model. This model begins by identifying an event or situation that triggers a response. This event then activates your beliefs, leading to emotional and behavioral consequences. The ABC model intends to help you understand how your initial thoughts and beliefs affect your reactions and behaviors.

Other concepts that are important to this approach include:

  • Cognitive Distortions: Cognitive distortions are unhealthy thoughts or patterns that are often automatic. These thoughts can contribute to challenging emotions and unhealthy or unwanted behaviors. This includes “all-or-nothing” thinking and catastrophizing.
  • Behavior Modification: This is the process of changing unhealthy behaviors that contribute to mental health symptoms. By recognizing how your thoughts affect your behaviors, you can work to change your thoughts.
  • Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy is commonly used with anxiety and involves gradual exposure to situations or stimuli that contribute to anxiety symptoms.

CBT programs provide structured care that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. Your therapist will help you identify healthier thoughts that you can replace the unhealthy thoughts with. Sessions also focus on exploring positive behaviors that you can practice, enhancing your progress outside of therapy sessions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy programs are often individualized and are available in inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. Across these different treatment settings, CBT can be used in varying intensities and durations to ensure that you receive care appropriate for your needs. Your therapist will help you set realistic goals, track your progress, and provide you with homework to complete on your own.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a highly effective treatment approach for a variety of mental health conditions. Research has proven that CBT can have a similar, if not stronger, effect compared to medications. It is viewed as the gold standard among other evidence-based therapies.

Part of the reason that CBT is viewed as one of the most impactful therapies is that it can lead to long-term change. This is a structured therapy approach that helps you learn skills that you can use on a long-term basis to maintain your mental health progression. Once you become familiar with the process of recognizing and modifying unhealthy thoughts, these skills become easier to use. Over time, you will notice that your unhealthy thoughts and beliefs have changed and led to a reduction of symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) both fall within the category of cognitive therapies but have distinct features. A key difference between DBT vs CBT is that DBT incorporates mindfulness therapies and focuses on developing emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, and improving interpersonal connections.

CBT focuses on addressing the problem or specific symptoms you’re experiencing, whereas DBT can help you stay in the moment and work on acceptance. Another notable difference is that DBT, especially the skills portion, is commonly used in a group setting. CBT can be used in a group setting, but it is more effective in a 1:1 setting, where you can focus on your personal experiences.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most researched therapeutic approach and is more effective than other therapies for some mental health conditions. In some cases, CBT can be more effective than the use of medications. For many, combining the use of CBT and psychopharmacology is the most beneficial.

Research has repeatedly shown that CBT is an effective approach for various mental health conditions. An estimated 43% of those living with depression benefit from CBT, and 49% of those with anxiety benefit from this therapeutic approach. Because the effectiveness of this approach has been replicated in multiple studies, this is known as a reliable treatment. This is important to consider as you explore your mental health treatment options because you want to ensure that you’re considering holistic therapy programs offering appropriate treatments.

Do Mental Health Centers Offer CBT Treatment?

Absolutely! Many mental health treatment centers, including AMFM, offer CBT treatment because it is highly effective. This includes programs of varying intensities, including residential treatment programs and outpatient programs. CBT can be used as a stand-alone treatment or used in conjunction with other approaches to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

To learn about available treatment programs, we encourage you to contact treatment facilities directly. If you’re unsure which level of care would be best for you, take advantage of the confidential and free assessment we offer at AMFM. This can help you understand your treatment needs with no strings attached. Call us to get started today!

What Common Mental Health Disorders Does CBT Treat?

CBT is an effective therapeutic approach for many mental health conditions. Its versatility is one of the key factors for its widespread use. While this is not an exhaustive list, CBT can be used to address the following mental health conditions:

Depression is a mood condition known for causing a low mood and loss of interest in enjoyable activities. CBT can address negative thoughts contributing to low moods. It can also promote involvement in activities that boost your mood and release naturally occurring, mood-boosting chemicals in your brain.

CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. It can help you manage stress from irrational beliefs and fears that contribute to anxious thoughts or behavior. Treatment often includes exposure therapy to gradually face your feared situation or stressor. CBT may be used in addition to psychopharmacology options.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn to recognize situations that trigger your anger. This can also help you learn and implement healthy coping skills, emotion regulation skills, and problem-solving skills into your daily life. These practices can help reduce impulsive behaviors and angry outbursts. 

CBT is commonly used in eating disorder treatment programs. Treatment can focus on unhealthy thoughts and beliefs about food, as well as distorted body image concerns. CBT can address underlying critical thoughts and perfectionist desires, which can reduce the frequency of harmful eating behaviors. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is another condition that benefits from CBT. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is used to slowly encounter situations related to your obsessions without engaging in compulsive behaviors. This type of CBT can challenge thought patterns, reducing the frequency and intensity of compulsion.

CBT is commonly used in substance abuse treatment programs to help individuals identify internal triggers that contribute to emotional distress. It can combat behaviors that contribute to continued substance use. This approach can help you begin reversing unhealthy thoughts, which can decrease the emotional distress that leads to continued use.

Individuals who are living with a mood disorder may find that CBT helps them regulate their emotions and manage mood swings. This is done by focusing on the presence of unhealthy thought patterns and finding healthier ways to respond to stress and related challenges.

Are There Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Centers Near Me?

A Mission For Michael is a premier behavioral health treatment provider that offers CBT for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. We can incorporate CBT in psychotherapy and group therapy sessions. We can help you gain the knowledge and coping skills needed to effectively address unhealthy thoughts. Dial (866) 478-4383 to explore our available mental health counseling options.

Types of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Programs Available for Treatment

Several therapeutic approaches are grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy while adding their unique touch to therapy. These approaches can be used to address different mental health conditions and symptoms. These therapies can be used in various treatment programs and include:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was developed by Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s to treat depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, and substance use disorders. ACT can help you decrease avoidance behaviors so that you can work towards accepting your thoughts and feelings. You’ll begin to commit to behaviors that align with your values, promoting resilience.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder in the 1970s. DBT can also be used to treat mood disorders, self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and substance abuse. This approach blends cognitive principles with mindfulness practices to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) helps those struggling with recurrent depression, anxiety, and stress. Three professionals published the first clinical trial in 2000. This approach blends mindfulness practices with CBT concepts to help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was developed by Albert Ellis in the 1950s to treat anxiety, depression, phobias, anger concerns, and other emotional challenges. REBT challenges irrational beliefs that cause emotional distress. You’ll learn how to replace them with logical thoughts to decrease emotional and behavioral responses.
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    We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.

    If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help. 

    Does Private Health Insurance Cover CBT Near Me?

    Yes. Many private health insurance companies offer insurance coverage for CBT programs. The coverage that you receive is dependent on several factors, including your current symptoms and the details of your insurance policy. Insurance companies often offer coverage options for inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment programs.

    Complete the AMFM Mental Health Treatment Center’s insurance verification form to learn about the details of your coverage. We will inquire about your coverage rates, out-of-pocket expenses, limitations, exclusions, and required authorizations.

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    How Much Does CBT Cost with Health Insurance Support?

    The cost of CBT programs when you are using health insurance is dependent on the details of your policy. Insurance providers usually offer a range of brands, services, and products so that their policyholders can choose coverage options that align with their needs while remaining affordable. To provide you with an accurate quote, we need to know more about you.

    For those who have concerns about how to pay for CBT treatment, we encourage you to review payment options with an AMFM admission counselor. Our team can help you understand the scope of your coverage and review other payment options that may be available. Call us today to begin.

    In most cases, the cost of CBT treatment falls between $60 to $200 per session. These talk therapy sessions are often 50 minutes long, occurring once per week. Several factors affect the cost of CBT programs, including the experience of your mental health provider and the level of care you receive.

    Generally, inpatient or residential treatment programs will cost more than outpatient programs. Additionally, individual therapy tends to cost more than group therapy or teletherapy services.

    CBT has several therapeutic techniques that can be used to reach your treatment goals. The treatment interventions that are used are dependent on your symptoms, level of functioning, and treatment goals. Some of the commonly used cognitive behavioral therapy interventions include:

    • Journaling and Thought Records: This involves keeping track of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in certain situations. This information is then used in cognitive restructuring exercises.
    • Problem-solving: This allows you to take overwhelming goals and break them down into smaller, more manageable parts.
    • Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques are used to help you learn to cope with the physical symptoms associated with stress and anxiety.
    • Activity Scheduling: This allows you to actively schedule enjoyable and necessary activities in advance to reduce procrastination and give you something to look forward to.
    • Thought Stopping: This technique is used to help you interrupt unwanted thoughts by saying “stop” aloud. You will then replace this thought with a healthier option.
    • Stress Inoculation Training: You can learn to build resilience by gradually facing situations or stressors safely. Before you do this, you will learn healthy and effective coping skills that can help you during treatment.
    • Systematic Desensitization: This is a behavioral technique that can be used in CBT for treating anxiety and phobias. This involves gradual exposure to your feared situation while actively using relaxation techniques to manage anxiety symptoms.
    • Cognitive Restructuring: Cognitive restructuring refers to the process of replacing cognitive distortions and other negative thought patterns when they occur with healthy or realistic ones.
    • Behavioral Activation: Behavioral activation refers to the process of engaging in behaviors or activities that can help you experience positive emotions.

    Finding a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program generally requires several steps. To get started, start with an online search using keywords like “Cognitive behavioral therapy near me,” “CBT therapy near me,” or “CBT counseling near me in [your location].” You can then look into the credentials and licensure for the CBT programs on your generated list.

    Compare available treatment options by examining the programs, therapies, and specialized services. We encourage you to be mindful of the locations of the treatment facilities you’re considering and think about how they’ll fit into your routine. Once you have your list narrowed down, you can contact the providers with additional questions. See if they provide tours before beginning the admission process. Treatment providers, like AMFM, can also help you verify your insurance coverage to understand your out-of-pocket expenses.

    • Research has indicated that mental health conditions that have the highest response rates to CBT include anxiety disorder, bulimia, anger problems, and overall stress.
    • A study done by Oxford University indicated that introducing CBT for depression can be effective for individuals who did not find relief from the use of psychopharmacology medications alone. 
    • CBT is the most researched therapeutic approach, and no other approach is superior to CBT.
    • A 2023 research study supported previous research indicating that CBT was more effective than other psychotherapies, with 43% of participants living with depression responding to CBT treatment
    • A 2017 study indicated that positive outcome rates of CBT for anxiety were at 49%.

    Check if your health insurance will cover the cost of mental health treatment.

    AMFM's CBT services can help you identify and change destructive thought patterns, leading to better mental health and a happier life.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, hands-on approach to mental health treatment that helps people identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors. The main idea is that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected, and by shifting our thoughts, we can change how we feel and behave. 

    CBT’s goal is to teach you effective coping strategies for dealing with struggles- strategies that don’t involve falling back into negative patterns. It can be effective with a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.

    The Science Behind CBT

    The effectiveness of CBT is well known, and it’s been a mainstay in mental health for decades.  There are many research papers and clinical trials proving that CBT can be a powerful tool for achieving lasting mental health improvements. Not only that, CBT has been shown to be helpful for a wide range of mental health struggles. 

    AMFM uses CBT because of its scientifically validated, evidence-based strategies and techniques, which have been refined and proven over years of research. In other words, we use it because it works.

    The CBT Process Explained

    CBT is structured around a series of steps that lead to change:

    Benefits of CBT

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you navigate life’s challenges in multiple ways:

    Improved Relationships:

    By using new insights and communication strategies, CBT can help you build stronger relationships with others.

    Enhanced Coping Strategies:

    CBT helps you strengthen your skills to deal with life’s stressors, turning tough situations into ones you can handle.

    Broad Application:

    Whether it’s anxiety, depression, stress, or phobias, CBT offers tools that work across different challenges.

    Reduction in Negative Thoughts:

    You’ll learn to catch, challenge, and change the pessimistic chatter in your mind, opening the door to a more optimistic perspective.

    Improved Relationships:

    By using new insights and communication strategies, CBT can help you build stronger relationships with others.

    Empowering Self-Change:

    CBT gives you the chance to be an active participant in your own healing.

    When AMFM Uses CBT

    CBT is a versatile tool, but we know it’s not one-size-fits-all. Here’s how we decide when it’s the right fit and when it might be time to explore other options:

    Choosing the Best Candidates for CBT

    CBT shines for those ready to dive into understanding and reshaping their thought patterns—ideal for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and more. It’s great for people who are open to examining their thoughts and actively seeking change. However, there are times CBT might not be the best first step. For instance, if someone’s trauma makes it tough to step back and look at their thoughts objectively, or if they’ve tried CBT before without success or didn’t quite gel with its approach, we consider alternative methods. Our goal is to find the most effective path to healing for each individual.

    Fitting Therapy to Each Client

    At AMFM, we customize CBT to fit like a glove. This means adjusting our techniques to match your specific needs, goals, and life situation. Whether it’s tweaking how we tackle thought patterns or incorporating elements that resonate more deeply with you, customization is key. Our therapists are skilled at creating a personalized therapy plan that feels right for you.

    CBT as Part of a Larger Treatment Plan

    CBT at AMFM is only ever used as part of a wider treatment plan, alongside other therapeutic approaches to make sure everyone gets well-rounded care. We might use CBT as well as strategies like mindfulness for emotional grounding, group therapy for community support, and other specialized therapies depending on the client. The strategy helps make sure that while CBT has the primary objective of transforming thought patterns, other aspects of your well-being are nurtured at the same time. We want to make sure you get a thorough treatment experience that addresses all angles of your health.