What I Need to Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

We can all identify moments in our lives where we have believed a lie about ourselves. Whether it’s something someone else has said or implied to us or something we’ve told ourselves, that lie can grow legs and start to change the way we view ourselves and interact with others.

To change the way we connect with ourselves and the world around us, we have to be able to identify the source of those unhealthy behaviors. What happened to us that caused this reaction? What lies are we telling ourselves that are inhibiting us from living a healthy and fulfilling life? How can we move forward once we have addressed this pattern of faulty thinking and unhealthy behaviors?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The therapists at Alabaster Creative Arts Therapy use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals change thinking and behavioral patterns. CBT is a form of psychological treatment that focuses on identifying a person’s faulty thinking and learned patterns of unhealthy behaviors, and then working with that person to develop healthy coping skills to manage life stressors.

There are a number of strategies therapists use to accomplish this goal with their patients. Patients learn how to recognize incorrect thoughts and negative core beliefs about themselves and see how they may be creating problems for them in their lives.

Now that you’ve brought those negative thoughts into the light of reality, how do they look? What’s true and not true? This work helps people better understand their behaviors and the underlying motivations that drive those behaviors.

Empowered with Truth and Compassion

Knowing yourself better is the first step to changing for the better. This work helps people better understand their behaviors and the underlying motivations that drive those unhealthy connections. Armed with greater self-knowledge and self-compassion, individuals then work together with their therapist to develop effective problem solving skills to cope with difficult situations.The challenges of life are not one-and-done, but your therapist can help you learn from the unhealthy thinking and behaviors of the past. You can become more self-aware, able to see the bigger picture of your life, and empowered to face your fears. This is where real change begins.

Do you feel as if you’re believing the lies in your head? We can work through that and come out the other side with a stronger sense of self to navigate life’s challenges, together. Connect with Alabaster Creative Arts Therapy or request an appointment today.