Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment that focuses on modifying problematic thoughts and behaviors that contribute to and maintain emotional problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Like traditional forms of therapy, CBT emphasizes a warm, safe, and empathic therapeutic environment. CBT is different from some approaches in that it focuses on present-day problems and on learning skills designed to help you cope more effectively with painful thoughts and feelings. Instead of focusing on childhood issues, you will learn to identify thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you stuck, so you may develop more adaptive ways to navigate your life.
When a great ship is in harbor and moored,
it is safe, there can be no doubt.
But that is not what great ships are built for.
— Clarissa Pinkola Estes
There is no one “cognitive behavioral therapy”. The term “CBT” represents a family of therapies, that share a commitment to scientific excellence in the alleviation and prevention of suffering. At True North, we practice what is commonly referred to as “Third Wave” Cognitive Behavioral Therapies — cutting edge treatments that are both innovative and well-supported by research.
Types of CBT we offer:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based CBT that emphasizes practices aimed at identifying and overcoming obstacles to living a life of purpose, meaning, and vitality.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) a form of CBT designed to help survivors of trauma overcome the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specific form of CBT aimed at overcoming the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and phobias.
- Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), focuses on interpersonal issues that interfere with their ability to connect authentically with others.
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) integrates the neuroscience of positive emotion and methods derived from Buddhist psychology.
Issues we treat using cognitive-behavioral therapies:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance dependency
- Persistent pain
- Disordered eating
- Sexual issues
- Anger management issues
- Relationship Issues
- Low Self-Esteem
- “Failure to Launch” Syndrome
If you’d like to learn more about any or all of these cognitive-behavioral approaches, please contact us. We’d be happy to talk more about how we work and which of these approaches might best suit you.