What to Expect from CBT Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a different type of treatment than more traditional methods such as talk-based therapy. Understanding the techniques used during the course of treatment in CBT in Los Angeles will help you to determine whether CBT is right for you.

Session One

The first session focuses mainly on assessing your situation. Here, you are able to discuss with your therapist the difficulties you are facing in life and what you hope to achieve by undergoing therapy. You will be asked a lot of questions about your life in order for your therapist to understand the entire range of factors in order to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This is also a chance for the therapist to understand whether they are the right person to carry out your therapy or whether you require a referral to another specialist. Often, the first session will result in the planning of your treatment and your therapist will be able to explain the types of CBT activities for adults in Los Angeles that will benefit you. Depending on the circumstances, another assessment session may be required in order to finalize the plan. Once this session is performed, you will be able to understand if CBT is right for you.

Ongoing Sessions

Your course of treatment in CBT in Los Angeles begins once the treatment plan has been developed. Your ongoing sessions will be your opportunity to address the problems that led you to seek treatment. CBT is a very active form of therapy that focuses on not only developing new skills but putting them into practice. Each session contains a range of CBT activities for adults in Los Angeles that allow you to work on solving problems in your life. This is the major difference between CBT and talk-therapy, as in talk-therapy you simply talk about problems without being active in the problem-solving process.

CBT group activities for adults in Los Angeles has a strong homework component, as research has shown that this can significantly improve the effectiveness and speed of improvement of the treatment. Homework may comprise tracking your behaviors or changes in mood over the week between sessions. As you progress through your treatment, your homework may include components for identifying problems and correcting thinking patterns as well as practicing the skills you have learned during therapy, such as being assertive with boundaries. Learn more about CBT group activities for adults in Los Angeles.

Final Sessions

Your therapy is based on identifying goals, and once you have learned the skills to achieve them, the frequency of your sessions can be reduced. CBT is designed to be effective in just a few months compared to traditional talk therapy that requires sessions at a high frequency for years. During your course of treatment in CBT in Los Angeles, you learn how to become your own therapist so that you can independently solve problems within your life. The reduction in frequency of your sessions aims to allow you to rely on the skills you have learned rather than needing intervention. CBT helps you to build confidence in both your decision making skills and your abilities to face challenges that may arise during your day to day life after you finish treatment.