About Mental Health Therapy
When left untreated, mental health issues can spiral out of control, leading to severe problems, such as:
- Relationship difficulties
- Substance abuse
- Trouble at work or school
People struggling with mental health issues may even experience suicidal thoughts or make suicide attempts. Fortunately, treatments available can help you recognize and address the underlying causes of your mental health concerns.
There are many approaches to treating mental health issues—some involve medication, while others involve different types of counseling or therapy. At GBBH, we use evidence-based treatments such as CBT and approaches that sprung from it: dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
About Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT is one of the most widely used forms of psychotherapy today. It focuses on examining how thoughts shape people’s behavior to identify unhelpful patterns contributing to their distress or maladaptive behaviors. CBT helps people develop skills to change their thought processes, behaviors, and overall lifestyle to manage their emotions better and live healthier lives.
CBT can treat a wide range of mental health conditions, such as:
- Anger management issues
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Depressive disorders
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep disorders
Each person’s experience with CBT will vary depending on their individual needs and goals for treatment.
Benefits of Undergoing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
There are many advantages to undergoing CBT. These benefits are likely why this therapeutic approach is so popular, and include the following:
- Fewer symptoms – Research suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy effectively treats various mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In fact, many people report feeling better after their first session.
- Improved communication skills – CBT can help people improve their communication skills. This is because cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages self-expression, which allows people to express themselves more clearly and effectively.
- Improved self-awareness – CBT encourages self-exploration and reflection. People who choose CBT often report improved self-awareness as they work through the cognitive restructuring process.
- Improved skills to cope with stress – People who undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy learn tangible skills they can use to manage their stress and other mental health issues.
- Increased motivation – Cognitive-behavioral therapy also helps people become more motivated to achieve their goals and make positive changes in their life. If you’re experiencing mental health issues, cognitive-behavioral therapy may be able to help.
Generally, any form of psychotherapy can benefit people working on managing or treating their mental health concerns. Sometimes, specific forms of CBT can be more effective—such as DBT for people struggling with certain types of trauma or ACT for people dealing with intense emotions. However, CBT is proven to be particularly helpful in improving mental health and well-being.
Find Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Massachusetts at GBBH
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