Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapy intervention that helps clients recognize unhealthy thoughts and self-destructive behaviours that allow addiction to run rampant. CBT is actually based on the premise that our mental health and behaviours are intensified by deeply-rooted thought patterns that we have the power to change. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps clients in recovery to disrupt their negative thought patterns. It promotes focusing on the ways we respond to stress, self-perception using a non-judgemental approach, and learning empowering skills to live a happy, addiction-free life.

CBT is a short-term form of therapy where the skills that clients learn can be used to keep their mental health in check in the long term. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is focused on achieving a positive change of any size in one’s life by first acknowledging the past. It recognizes that unhealthy coping mechanisms can be ingrained deep into our consciousness, stemming from negative beliefs about ourselves or from early childhood. Therapists practising CBT understand that clients may have used drugs because it was the best way they knew how to cope. The goal is to offer new coping mechanisms for the future.

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practice involves:

• Structured and timed regular sessions that produce the best results.
• A flexible approach, using one-to-one or group sessions and a variety of activities
• A goal-oriented and problem-focused approach that teaches coping skills and strategies to maximize well-being.
• A proactive relationship between the client and therapist with open discussion and problem-solving.

CBT is beneficial to those in recovery as it helps address negative thoughts and beliefs that might arise in daily life, as these can lead to self-doubt or a feeling of helplessness. Disrupting these dysfunctional thought patterns empowers clients to become more self-aware and make healthy choices in response to negative situations and feelings.

CBT can greatly benefit those with mental health conditions such as:

• This can be linked to family history or childhood trauma.
• Chronic illness, such as insomnia.
• Eating disorders.
• Obsessive-compulsive illness.
• Anxiety, panic or phobias.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help almost anyone and is especially effective when used in conjunction with other therapeutic activities, like exercise or mindfulness. CBT also has proven to help with relationship difficulties like breakups or divorce, as well as grief or loss, high amounts of stress, or mental challenges after experiencing serious illness. CBT is a great way to learn how to process complex emotions and empowers clients to make positive changes to their thoughts and behaviours while setting goals for the future.

If you would like to talk to one of the professionals at Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health about whether Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is right for you or your loved one, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-833-304-8181.

Interested in learning about other treatment methods? Continue to our Treatment Methods page.