Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Most mental health issues require more than a single intervention in order to reach the desired success. A powerful tool that we utilize is Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), a therapy started in the 1960s by a psychiatrist named Aaron Beck. “Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a time-sensitive, structured, present-oriented psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in more than 2,000 studies for the treatment of many different health and mental health conditions. When implemented correctly, CBT helps individuals get better and stay better.” This therapy was a major shift from exploration of the subconscious mind and traditional talk therapy.

What Disorders is CBT Therapy Used to Treat?

CBT was initially used to treat depression but has since been adapted to treat a variety of mental health disorders like anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, phobias, insomnia, PTSD, substance use disorders and personality disorders. It has also been used for non-psychiatric disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines and other chronic pain conditions.

CBT is not only used to treat mental health disorders, but also is used to optimize performance of musicians, athletes, other professionals and the typical person looking to gain more understanding and ownership over their thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Today CBT is the most extensively researched of all psychotherapies with several evidence-based treatment protocols.

CBT Services at The Grove

At The Grove Comprehensive Psychiatry and Wellness, we are passionate about identifying the Root Causes of mental health disorders. Through years of work as mental health professionals, we have found that the center of the problem is often rooted in thoughts, cognitive distortions (unhelpful thought patterns), and negative core beliefs. We look forward to working with you as we guide your journey to apply this active and rewarding therapy.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals, particularly children and adolescents, overcome the effects of traumatic experiences. Developed by Drs. Judith Cohen, Anthony Mannarino, and Esther Deblinger, Trauma-Focused CBT integrates trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive-behavioral techniques to address the emotional and psychological impact of trauma.

The therapy involves components such as psychoeducation, relaxation skills, affective modulation, cognitive processing, trauma narration, and gradual exposure to trauma reminders. A Trauma focused approach to CBT aims to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues. By fostering a supportive and structured environment, Trauma-Focused CBT helps individuals process their traumatic memories, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust. This evidence-based approach has been shown to significantly improve emotional well-being and functioning, providing a pathway to recovery and resilience for trauma survivors.

We take a trauma-informed and caring approach with each patient and recognize how difficult and disruptive trauma can be for people of all ages.

Learn more about Trauma and PTSD Treatment.