Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psycho-social intervention aiming to alleviate mental distress symptoms such as anxiety and depression by reprogramming negative thought patterns to amend harmful behaviors. It has proven successful in treating substance use disorders when combined with other forms of addiction treatment.
At Oceanfront Recovery, we pride ourselves on individualized addiction treatment programs that utilize various evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy. To learn more about the evidence-based methods we employ at Oceanfront, contact us at 877.296.7477.
What Are Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques and Why Do They Work?
Our behaviors are born from the friction between thoughts and feelings. They are often unconscious and sometimes the result of early reflections, instincts, or impressions we made about how to remain safe, loved, and cared for. However, we may feel at the mercy of destructive behavior until we observe our behaviors objectively and learn the skills necessary to analyze them to make changes.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a collection of techniques that form a common approach to therapy centered on reprogramming the underlying thoughts and feelings that result in unwanted behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to empower a person to be their therapist. In other words, the therapist is akin to a teacher, offering homework assignments between sessions and helping the client to evaluate and grow into their therapy learning goals so that they can eventually utilize the techniques to shift behaviors on their own.
Examples of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Techniques and Strategies
Cognitive behavioral therapy employs a variety of strategies and techniques, including:
- Learning to identify and challenge cognitive distortion (thinking problems into existence)
- Gaining a better understanding of your motivations and the motivations of others
- Practicing healthy coping skills
- Setting attainable goals and staying accountable to them
- Utilizing role-playing to practice new responses to triggering situations
- Facing fears by addressing the memories and thoughts that feed them
- Learning to relax the mind and body at will
- Learning and practicing problem-solving skills
- Learning how to monitor and alter your thoughts and behaviors
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Addiction Recovery
Throughout the process of addiction recovery, a person is constantly facing triggering situations, challenging thoughts, and overwhelming emotions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help build essential skills to transform negative beliefs and coping mechanisms into positive ones.
Thoughts and feelings play a significant role in behavior, and becoming empowered to alter thoughts and relax in the face of overwhelming emotions can make a massive difference in recovery. In addition, because it is non-invasive, gentle, and adaptable to any pace, cognitive-behavioral therapy is a perfect complement to any addiction treatment program.
Another essential component of addiction recovery is making peace with the fact that you can’t control everything and gaining a sense of what is within your control (i.e., your thoughts and actions). Becoming empowered to take control over how you interpret and deal with the unexpected and uncontrollable is a chief benefit of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is affordable, accessible both in person and online, does not require an invasive medication or procedure, and can work to correct a broad spectrum of maladaptive behaviors.
Find Therapy That Works for You at Oceanfront Recovery
At Oceanfront Recovery, we have extensive experience pairing cognitive-behavioral therapy with highly individualized addiction treatment programs to empower our clients to take control of themselves. So whether you’re seeking inpatient, residential, or outpatient addiction support, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help, and so can we.
Oceanfront Recovery is a boutique facility that serves clientele in an intimate, safe, serene, and comfortable setting just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean in gorgeous Laguna Beach, CA. To learn more, contact us at 877.296.7477.
