Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in Charlotte, NC

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Charlotte, NC

CBT is a proven therapeutic model that has helped many different people facing many different problems. Clinical trials have shown that patients who undergo cognitive behavioral therapy often experience lasting and real change, and at times, CBT has produced results as effective as medication when people have depression or anxiety. Even more, because CBT focuses on strengthening an individual, its benefits often last even have therapy has finished.

The counselors and therapists Thriveworks Charlotte utilize CBT because it is a proven and effective treatment. If you are ready to make a positive change in your life, our staff is ready to support you and guide your process with cognitive behavioral therapy. Reach out today to get started.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What Is It?

CBT is a proactive and practical method of psychotherapy that seeks to address a specific emotional, social, or relational problem. Together with a therapist’s guidance, individuals seek to change their own negative thought and behavior patterns that may be fueling the difficulty.

While difficult circumstances certainly occur in people’s lives, there are also times when the difficulty arises because of the meaning an individual gives a particular event. First, these negative patterns must be identified, and then they can be adapted to find more positive ways of handling the issue. For example, people who struggle with insomnia may be telling themselves, “Well, I’m just a terrible sleeper.” This thought pattern can be making the sleeping difficulty worse. CBT seeks to replace this negative thought with a more positive outlook.

Because CBT addresses a particular problem, it is a short-term therapeutic model. Generally, counselors work with a client for approximately six months to a year. Within that timeframe, many emotional problems can substantially improve with a once-a-week, hour session of CBT.

Identifying the Problem’s Root: Cognitive Distortions

There are a number of negative thought patterns that people can embrace, and these often create or exacerbate challenges in their lives. Thus, CBT does not address issues directly, but it considers how individuals interpret these issues and if they are interpreting them well. All too often people embrace cognitive distortions as they interpret a situation. Cognitive distortions are simply interpreting a situation inaccurately and negatively.

A few examples of cognitive distortions include:

• Polarized thinking
• Blaming
• Catastrophizing
• Control fallacies
• Filtering
• Overgeneralization
• Emotional reasoning
• Personalization
• Fairness fallacy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Thriveworks Charlotte

If you are ready for a change in thinking and a change in your life, the counselors at Thriveworks Charlotte are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, you may have your first appointment the same week. Our therapists are credentialed with most insurance panels, and that means we accept most insurance plans. We also offer weekend and evening appointments.

What changes do you want to make? Let’s work together. Contact Thriveworks Charlotte today.