Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Living with a mental or behavioral health disorder is not easy. Many days can be challenging, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. While the topic of mental health is no longer taboo, there’s still a lot of misinformation surrounding it. This can, unfortunately, make the people around us less supportive.

At East Point Behavioral Health in Massachusetts, we DO understand mental health and how it can interfere with a person’s life. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, negative thinking, or something else, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can provide essential tools to use in your everyday life.

As a team dedicated to providing intensive and effective therapeutic interventions to as many people as possible, CBT is one of our most popular therapies at East Point Behavioral Health. Let’s learn more about this therapy and how it can help individuals with mental health problems gain more control over their lives.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What Is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It’s based on the concept that everything is interconnected—our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Imagine you have to give a presentation to your team, and you’re feeling nervous about it. You might think, “No one is going to know what I’m talking about.” This thought is negative and self-critical, creating a narrative in your mind that you won’t succeed. Because of this thought, you feel anxious and afraid. As a result, you don’t practice and rush to get the presentation over with. Understandably, things don’t go as smoothly as they could have, reinforcing the negative idea that you aren’t good enough.

CBT works on changing these negative thought patterns into more positive ones. In this case, you might say, “I’ve prepared well, and it’s okay to be nervous.” This shift in thinking could encourage you to practice more, which results in a better presentation, reinforcing a positive cycle. CBT empowers people to take a more active role in their mental health journey, giving individuals the skills needed to manage difficult emotions and regain control over their lives.

Do You Qualify for Mental Health Treatment in Massachusetts?

East Point Behavioral Health provides specialized mental health care in Massachusetts for adults aged 18 and older. While we do not specialize in substance use disorders (SUD), we address co-occurring conditions and can connect you with trusted SUD treatment referrals if needed. Our mission is to remove barriers to mental health care by offering immediate intervention and prompt access to treatment. Contact us today to start your journey toward mental wellness!

Who Can Benefit From CBT in Massachusetts?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help people from all different backgrounds and all stages of life. This type of therapy is universal and works well for a number of disorders, including depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as those struggling with unhelpful thoughts and negative thinking. The people who benefit most from CBT are those who are:

Experiencing mental health disorders
Facing life transitions or stressful situations
Dealing with chronic conditions or pain
Seeking relapse prevention
Struggling with low self-esteem and perfectionism

No matter what you are experiencing, CBT is a proven way to help you create a better, brighter future.

What Are the Best Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques?

What makes CBT so fascinating is that it’s not just one thing—it involves a lot of different mental wellness techniques that come together in many different combinations. Some of the best techniques used in CBT are:

Cognitive Restructuring

Also referred to as cognitive reframing, this technique involves identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and replacing them with more balanced and realistic thoughts. For example, instead of saying, “I made a mistake, so I’m a failure,” the reframed thought would be, “Everyone makes mistakes, this is an opportunity to learn.”

Behavioral Activation

This technique is commonly used with individuals who have depression. It encourages engaging in enjoyable or meaningful activities to improve mood and reduce avoidance behaviors (actions that people use to distance themselves from stressful events). For example, if you’re feeling too depressed to leave the house, scheduling small, manageable activities could be helpful in gradually getting out.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy helps individuals face their fears and anxieties in a gradual and controlled way, reducing avoidance over time. Some with a fear of flying might start looking at pictures of airplanes, then visiting an airport, and eventually taking a short flight.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

These practices help individuals stay present and reduce the emotional impact of negative thoughts. Mindfulness is especially useful in managing stress and anxiety. As an example, a person can practice deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to calm their body and mind during moments of anxiety.

Thought Records

A thought record is a tool to track automatic negative thoughts, triggers, and emotions throughout the day. The goal is to help individuals reflect and reframe their thinking. If you are involved in a triggering situation, such as receiving criticism, your automatic thought might be “I’m worthless.” This can be reframed in a better way: “This feedback can help me improve.”

Supporting Intensive Outpatient Services With CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a powerful tool used in therapy. When added to Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS), you learn that you cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control how you interpret and respond to situations.

By learning to change negative thought patterns, you can improve your mental well-being and quality of life. CBT is typically a short-term and goal-oriented therapy, lasting 8-16 sessions, though it can be adapted for longer treatment plans. It’s well-researched and highly effective for a variety of mental health issues.

CBT supports IOS in a number of ways:

Quick Access

East Point Behavioral Health gets individuals into treatment quickly, usually within 24 hours or so. This means that you can start CBT right away. While it does take time to see results, many people notice improvements after 4 to 6 sessions, especially when the techniques are applied outside of treatment.

Flexible and Less Restrictive

Unlike residential programs that require an overnight stay, people in IOS receive intensive treatment with the ability to return home in the evenings. This less restrictive schedule allows them to maintain their daily responsibilities, such as work, school, or caring for loved ones. This actually works well with CBT, as you’ll be learning new skills and applying them to real life situations. In fact, your therapist will give you homework so that you can work on various skills and report back with your progress.

Goal Oriented

CBT sessions are designed to produce results in a short period, usually 6-18 sessions. You will work with your therapist to set clear, actionable goals, such as improving emotional resilience or adjusting negative thinking habits. By focusing on these specific goals, you can increase motivation and focus. Plus, when you celebrate your successes, you get the satisfaction of meeting your milestones, creating a positive feedback loop. Essentially, completing tasks releases dopamine in the brain, which feels good and builds self-efficacy, helping you stay motivated.

Get in Touch With Us Today!

East Point Behavioral Health in Massachusetts is here to change the lives of individuals for the better. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a wonderful addition to most treatment plans and teaches individuals how to cope with stressful situations in life. It promotes healthy habits and routines, which in turn, support good mental health. If you are thinking about seeking help for yourself or a loved one, get in touch with East Point Behavioral Health today at 877-536-5307.