CBT Therapy in California

Addiction treatment shouldn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. As a result, there are several types of therapy that clients can participate in such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT therapy is just one of many programs at our Palm Springs, California residential treatment center.

Professionals in the addiction treatment field certainly understand the different issues that each client has. Therefore, they choose the most appropriate forms of therapy in order to provide the best care because they know that this increases the likelihood of lasting recovery.

About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, began as a treatment for depression. However, specialists saw how useful it could be to treat other conditions, such as anxiety and addiction. Consequently, you may take part in CBT at a dual diagnosis treatment center such as Phoenix Rising Recovery in Palm Springs, California.

CBT takes the stance that a person’s thoughts and emotions affect their behavior. In other words, positive thoughts lead to positive behaviors and actions. In contrast, negative emotions result in negative behaviors.

Furthermore, this connection between emotions and actions goes both ways, so if you don’t like how you’re feeling, you can alter your emotions by altering how you think and act.

How CBT in California Works

CBT differs from psychotherapy in that it empowers clients by teaching them problem-solving techniques. They’re not stuck reliving the past. In cognitive behavioral therapy, a skilled therapist works with clients to help them change their behaviors by first changing their thoughts.

Many people who abuse drugs and alcohol do so because they have a hard time coping with negative emotions. Although everyone has a bad day at times, some people find it difficult to relieve stress. As a result, they turn to addictive substances, but the short-term fix that they believe drugs and alcohol provide can lead to long-term problems.

In our California CBT program, clients can finally learn effective coping strategies that lead to a more positive outlook. Due to this, they’ll be motivated to engage in positive behaviors whenever they feel sad, angry, or stressed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program in Addiction Treatment

In addiction treatment, a cognitive behavioral therapy program is incredibly useful. By applying the techniques they learn in CBT, clients can recognize negative thoughts as they occur. Consequently, they can focus on the present moment instead of replaying past events or being overwhelmed with anxiety over the future.

Furthermore, they can work to change those bad feelings into positive ones. At the very least, they’ll know that just because they’re not feeling good at the moment, they don’t have to act on those feelings in a negative way.

CBT in California has numerous benefits, including:

Giving clients healthy ways to cope with their emotions
Improving communication skills
Providing some relief for certain mental health disorders
Decreasing their likelihood of relapse
Providing effective coping skills for stress and anxiety

CBT is just one type of therapy we use at Phoenix Rising in Palm Springs, California to help treat addiction. There are others that rehab professionals may find helpful for you as well.

How CBT Therapy Can Help Treat Dual Diagnosis

A dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders, is made when a person has multiple health disorders. A common co-occurring disorder is a mental illness and a substance use disorder. In fact, there is a 50% chance someone with a mental illness will develop a drug addiction or vice versa. Addicts may turn to drugs and alcohol to temporarily feel relief from mental illness. A drug dependency may result in a mental illness because of withdrawal symptoms and constant cravings.

More so, a cognitive behavioral therapy program is an effective treatment for both parts of the dual diagnosis. It’s a powerful tool for the mental aspect of addiction because of the activities one does as a part of the therapy. Patients usually have “homework” after a therapy session to help enforce these ideas. Homework can take different forms.

Record Thoughts

Our California CBT program will often ask a patient to keep a journal. They will write down the negative thoughts they encounter every day. They will also record their feelings before they decide to use or when they have a craving. In this way, both patient and therapist can find patterns in thinking. Once patterns are found, a patient can avoid these triggers in the future.

Actively Practice Self-Kindness

A therapist may ask a patient to reword any negative self-talk that goes through their mind. For example, a recovering addict might internally think that they need to shame themselves to stop using drugs and alcohol. The therapist’s homework would be to rephrase that automatic thought.

Instead, a recovering addict would remember that everyone has slip-ups, and being kind to oneself will aid recovery. It’s a behavioral experiment that instills the habit of self-kindness. Eventually, it will become an automatic response to a negative thought.

Physically Schedule Self-Care

Finally, during CBT, a therapist may ask a patient to take the time to schedule a self-care activity every day. This means physically setting an alarm or writing a self-care activity into their schedule. Self-care is activities that promote both mental and physical health. This could be yoga, taking a leisurely walk in nature, spending time with family, or drawing. As long as the activity doesn’t deprecate health, it can aid both an addiction and a person’s mental health.

Begin CBT Therapy in Palm Springs, California

In Palm Springs, California, Phoenix Rising offers a range of effective substance abuse treatment programs such as CBT therapy on our tranquil four-acre ranch. In addition to our drug detox, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, we also provide enjoyable amenities and services, such as a recreation room, a gym, jacuzzi, an n-house swimming pool and equine therapy.

At our treatment center, residents come to heal and renew their bodies, minds, and spirits. Find out how we can help you overcome addiction and find your way toward a brighter future. Contact us today to learn more.

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