an individual participating in cognitive behavioral therapyIn any situation, people react with thoughts and behaviors that reflect how they’re feeling about their circumstances. The relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is known as the cognitive model. Some people, especially those who suffer from addiction, experience cognitive dysfunction that causes them to have irrational or destructive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In these circumstances, cognitive behavioral therapy becomes necessary to correct cognitive functioning and help the person develop healthier behaviors.

Learning the Process

Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is a form of counseling where a client works with a professional to correct unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. The way clients react to stress or anxiety may be a contributing factor to their substance addiction. Therefore, it’s important for individuals in recovery to change their thought processes.

For example, when a client reacts to a situation with thoughts that may be negative, irrational or unfounded, these thoughts can trigger feelings of anxiety, sadness, or anger. As a result, the individual may participate in unsafe behavior, such as using addictive substances, to quell these feelings. To change this process, the counselor in the cognitive behavioral therapy session may teach the client how to stop unhelpful thoughts and teach them healthier behaviors for coping with their feelings.

Cognitive behavioral therapy happens in six phases. During these phases, the individual and counselor work together to identify and understand the client’s thoughts and feelings and develop skills for countering negative behaviors. The six phases include:

  • Assessment: Identify and assess unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors;
  • Re-conceptualize: Rethinking thoughts and feelings to understand why they’re irrational or unhealthy;
  • Skills acquisition: Learning healthy skills or behaviors that help the client effectively deal with stress;
  • Application: Putting the skills the client learned into practice;
  • Maintenance: Continuing to practice healthy behaviors in response to stress;
  • Follow up: After the cognitive behavioral therapy sessions end, the client follows up with the counselor to ensure they’re still maintaining what they learned during the sessions.

The goal of CBT is for individuals to learn skills and behaviors they can use for the rest of their lives. Doing so can assist with relapse prevention and can help maintain a life of health and sobriety.

Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

CBT utilizes a combination of mental health assessment and coping skills education to provide comprehensive treatment to those suffering from a mental health disorder or substance addiction. For those struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression, CBT can help them learn healthier thought processes and turn to healthy methods to their moods. CBT can help them learn healthier thought processes which in turn will assist with negative feelings and behaviors.

Counseling Services at New Bridge Foundation®

New Bridge Foundation® knows that the recovery process isn’t something a person should have to go through alone. Therefore, our facility offers a variety of treatment programs to suit the needs of any client. These programs include:

We understand that the recovery process doesn’t end when clients leave the facility. Once clients complete any of the programs at New Bridge Foundation®, they have access to free aftercare for life. Aftercare provides individuals with the ongoing support they need to continue the gains that have been made while in the primary treatment program.

If you’re ready to begin working towards a life of health, happiness, and sobriety, then contact New Bridge Foundation®. Licensed mental health professionals and certified addiction counselors are ready to work with you along the path to recovery. Call New Bridge Foundation® today at 866-772-8491 to learn more about your options for recovery.