CBT Counseling at Dayspring
At Dayspring, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the primary treatment for anxiety disorders but is used to treat several concerns a client may be experiencing. Numerous studies demonstrate its efficacy without the use of medication, even after a relatively short period of eight sessions.
At Dayspring we use a holistic approach and select the best techniques from several therapies to tailor your treatment plan. If CBT is appropriate, your Dayspring counselor will add that therapy to your treatment plan.
CBT operates by facilitating an understanding of the interplay between thoughts, behaviors, and anxiety. Therapists at Dayspring collaborate with you to identify how negative thought patterns influence your emotional responses and actions.
Your counselor will assist you with altering negative thought patterns, imparting relaxation techniques, and implementing behavioral modifications that contribute to the underlying issue.
Individuals seeking to address anxiety or depression often lack comprehensive knowledge about the subject. Some individuals identify specific triggers, such as large dogs, social gatherings, or flying, while others experience persistent anxiety without a clear cause.
Your counselor will ask questions to identify the triggers of your anxiety. Identify the situations that induce anxiety, ask you to reflect on your thoughts and actions during those situations, and assess their impact on your daily life.
When using CBT some of the tools most frequently used by your counselor are explained and practiced in the office with homework assigned. While the tools below are not everything your Dayspring counselor has in their toolbox these are commonly used for the treatment of anxiety.
Journaling is a technique that may be employed. You might be asked to write down negative beliefs that arise during the week and the positive ones you can replace them with.
SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. Your therapist can assist you in setting SMART goals and working towards them.
Your counselor can also guide you through a process of guided discovery and questioning. This involves challenging unhelpful thoughts and considering different viewpoints. For instance, they may ask you how you perceive yourself or a stressful situation.
Cognitive restructuring involves examining any cognitive distortions that influence your thoughts and gradually unraveling them. Cognitive distortions may include black-and-white thinking, jumping to conclusions, or catastrophizing.
Self-talk (your inner voice) is also crucial. Your therapist may inquire about the self-talk you engage in regarding a particular situation or experience. They will then challenge you to replace negative or critical self-talk with compassionate, constructive self-talk.
Scheduling a rewarding activity each day can help boost overall positivity and improve your mood. Some examples of positive activities include treating yourself to fresh flowers or fruit, watching your favorite movie, or having a picnic lunch at the park.
Thought recording is a technique that involves recording thoughts and feelings experienced during a specific situation. Subsequently, you come up with unbiased evidence supporting your negative belief and evidence against it. You use this evidence to develop a more realistic thought.
Situation exposure involves listing situations or things that cause distress in order of their level of distress. Then, you gradually expose yourself to them until they lead to fewer negative feelings. Systematic desensitization is similar to situation exposure. It involves learning relaxation techniques to help you cope with your feelings in challenging situations.
Our counselors possess the knowledge and skills to effectively manage and treat anxiety and other emotional disorders by developing a treatment plan just for you. It is essential to recognize that one-size-fits-all approaches may not always be appropriate. Dayspring therapists demonstrate flexibility and employ their professional judgment when working with you.
You may be curious about what to expect from Dayspring Center for Christian Counseling. Established in February 2002, we are a community mental health provider that began as a nonprofit group of local counselors. Our mission has remained unchanged throughout our journey.
Unlike some popular online counseling companies that adopt an “industrialized” approach, Dayspring remains a local organization prioritizing the well-being of our clients over profit. While our reach has expanded from Marshall County to throughout Alabama, we continue to be dedicated to providing affordable, personalized counseling services that have a hometown feel.
