Therapy through a licensed Barrington, RI psychotherapist is an effective option for many disorders. However, studies show that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is often more effective for patients than anxiety medication, because it treats the underlying issues that cause the problem instead of just the symptoms. Undergoing therapy with reputable and experienced Rhode Island CBT therapists can help patients understand the causes of their worries and fears and learn how to look at situations that cause them anxiety in new ways that will help them to find workable solutions.
Finding therapists in Barrington and the surrounding Rhode Island or South Coast area that provide options for cognitive behavior therapy can be essential to properly dealing with anxiety disorders. Developing coping skills, problem-solving skills and learning how to relax when faced with stressful situations can help patients to overcome anxiety. While there are many different types of anxiety disorders and each can vary widely, it is important that any therapy be designed with each patient’s unique symptoms and concerns in mind.
The treatment for full-blown anxiety attacks will be much different than treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder, and the time frame required to treat each type of anxiety will differ as well. It is important to consult with licensed, experienced and reputable Rhode Island CBT therapists for best results.
What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?
It is important to take time to learn what you can about the different types of therapies that are available for anxiety disorders from your Barrington, RI psychotherapist. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used types of therapy for anxiety-based disorders, including panic attacks, phobias, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety and other related conditions. CBT works to address the negative patterns of behaviors seen in patients, as well as to identify the distorted views that each patient has about the world and themselves, in order to find viable solutions.
There are two primary aspects involved in CBT, as the name itself indicates:
- cognitive therapy
- behavior therapy
Cognitive therapy is used to examine the ways that the patient’s negative thoughts contribute to their own anxieties. Behavior therapy is used to understand how the patient reacts or behaves to certain situations that can trigger anxiety. The goal of CBT with licensed therapists in Barrington, RI and the surrounding area, is to understand that it is actually the negative thoughts of the patient and not the external situations that contribute to anxiety. Once the patient is able to realize that it is their perception of the situation that affects their feelings, they can begin to work with a therapist to change that perception.
What is Thought Challenging?
A term that we often hear in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a process known as thought challenging. This process is part of the overall treatment and is also known as cognitive restructuring because it encourages the patient to challenge their own negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive thoughts to combat their anxieties. There are three steps involved in thought challenging, which include: identifying negative thoughts; challenging those negative thoughts; and replacing those negative thoughts with positive or more realistic thoughts.
When it comes to anxiety disorders, many times situations are perceived by the patient as being more dangerous than they are in reality. For example, patients who have a phobia about germs can become extremely fearful and anxious at the mere thought of shaking someone’s hand. Understanding that these fears are irrational can be key to overcoming anxiety on a larger scale.
Therapists in Barrington can help patients to test the reality of their negative ideas and worries by conducting experiments or learning to weight the pros and cons of avoiding the things that are feared. Once more realistic ideas are understood, it is possible to learn how to reduce stress and anxiety when faced with difficult situations. Discussing negative thoughts and challenges to those negative thoughts with Rhode Island CBT therapists can be helpful. Sometimes writing down those negative thoughts can also be beneficial.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Barrington, Rhode Island
If you are seeking therapists in Barrington and the surrounding Rhode Island or South Coast region, consider Palmaccio Therapy. Lauren Palmaccio is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to help patients uncover negative thought patterns and their relationship to self-destructive behaviors and belief systems. In addition to CBT, Palmaccio Therapy also offers other types of therapy, including marriage counseling, couples therapy and workshops, family counseling and therapy for children and adolescents. Call 617-866-0589 to set up an appointment or learn more about our services.
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