5 Simple Ways to Get The Sleep You Need to Manage Your Mental Health

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviors and enhances wellbeing by increasing willpower and resilience. CBT focuses on supporting patients to let go of negative thought patterns and behaviors. 

1. Origin of problems
CBT gets to the root of the issues to identify what is making you anxious. It evaluates your history, past trauma, stressful events, genetic factors and your reaction to unpleasant circumstances. Psychotherapists analyze maladaptive behavioral patterns, patient’s belief system and conceptualization.

2. Identify cognitive distortions
It would be difficult for an anxious person to recognize his negative thought patters. CBT could help acknowledge thoughts and what thoughts come to you when you are emotionally aroused due to stressful situations. CBT helps overcome rumination mode and think about situations by putting things into perspective.

3. Challenge negative thoughts
Psychotherapists teach you to analyze cognitive distortions, where they are coming from, and the evidence of the negative outcome that you have generated in your mind. You learn to question the outcome, test the reality of your assumptions and let go of limiting beliefs. This is done via experiments, measuring the advantages and drawbacks of negative thoughts and think realistically whether your assumptions would come true.

4. Change negative thought patterns
This comes after you have recognized your negative thought patterns and replacing them with rational, realistic thoughts. Psychotherapists help you come up with positive self-talk and discourage you from being harsh to yourself when you make mistakes. You learn to say relaxing statements to yourself in situations that get you emotionally charged up.

5. Develop resilience
Psychotherapists use different techniques such as role-playing, exposure therapy and systematic desensitization to help you overcome negative thoughts, develop resilience and cope with stressful situations.

Through CBT, you would learn to acknowledge that situations that make you feel anxious, confront your fears and learn to cope to function well in life, rather than escape from negative circumstances. Are you struggling with anxiety? Burbank therapists can help you address thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may affect your mental health. Call us today to find new ways to cope with the stressors in your life.