At Restorative Wellness, LLC, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the coaching strategies I use with clients. This therapy is commonly referred to as CBT. This is a different approach to therapy and helping one move from how to think and see the world, to a more objective and self supporting vantage, free of guilt, shame, and self questioning. Sounds easy? Not really. It’s work and involves being willing to try to open your mind and help your brain develop new pathways for understanding the world around you.
CBT was founded in the 1960’s by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the time working at the University of Pennsylvania in the field of psychoanalysis. After years of research and development, and clinical interventions, this therapy was born and respected. I myself learned CBT by the guidance of Dr. Beck back in the day! So what is it? CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behavior, and thoughts by questioning them objectively and uprooting the underlying irrational negative beliefs one holds.
Often, these beliefs are held unconsciously by the individual. This therapy is beneficial because it can demonstrate almost immediate effectiveness (within 5-10 sessions) and the individual is given the tools to practice and live (think) within the framework of CBT to live a more happy and authentic life. Another benefit of this therapy is that it helps our brain create new networks and utilize its neuroplasticity and therefore remain active, grow, and be open for challenges.
As mentioned, the core principles of CBT include;
- We are using faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking
- We are using learned patterns of unhelpful behaviors
- Learning new ways of coping, can help people relieve their symptoms and become more effective (and possibly happier) in their lives.
Over the course of conversations and working through routine issues and problems, clients are able to catch distortions of their thinking that are creating problems, learn to be more effective in understanding behavior and motivation of others; and use problem-solving skills mindfully to cope with difficult situations. Ultimately, one develops a sense of confidence in their own abilities and can reach out for help when needed without ‘feeling bad’ about this request.
This approach, as I use it at Restorative Wellness, LLC, is to help my clients become their own therapists. I do this through having collaborative and mindful discussions that drill down to the origin of their thoughts or feelings that are disturbing to them. Never with any pressure, just providing an opportunity for them to breathe, feel in control, and empowered by a new perspective in seeing their thoughts before acting on them. I reinforce to them that what we think, how we feel and how we behave are all closely connected. We can change it all and gain a higher sense of wellness through CBT.
It takes time, interest, trust of self, and willingness to change from the comfort of doing what we always do to get to our end goal, versus thinking and considering why an action or feeling is happening, questioning if it real for ‘me today’, and where did it originate in my journey. At this time, we can explore how to appreciate and utilize the information to transform and evolve behavior and thoughts and change behavior and emotions with honest mindful awareness.
This process is exciting, and a win-win for the individual and their brain—which grows new connections and synapses for future use.
Wishing all of you happy and healthy holidays this season!
Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Joyful
Namaste.
Photo by Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash