CBT Therapists and Counselors in San Francisco, CA
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Don’t let negative thoughts have the last word.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the ‘gold standard’ for treating mental health disorders and issues such as anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, and depression, but not everyone who benefits from CBT has to meet the above criteria.
CBT can help anyone to handle stressful life circumstances better. CBT can also be utilized on its own or in combination with other therapies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is typically a short-term approach which means you won’t have to wait weeks or months to start seeing real results. Many times you can see results in just a few sessions, and overcome anxiety disorders or depression in as little as 8-15 sessions!
Our cognitive behavioral therapist will help you examine the way your thoughts influence your feelings and behaviors and give you practical tools to help shift your perspective and learn how to better manage stressful life situations. CBT is a structured approach to therapy. Each session has a clear format, and progress is often measured using empirically validated psychological measurements.
Your therapist will facilitate engaging activities during your sessions and equip you with worksheets and resources. You’ll also receive “homework” to complete in between sessions as part of this cognitive therapy.
If you want real relief fast, then CBT is for you.
How do I know if CBT is right for me?
You may be a good candidate for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy if you are:
-Having negative thoughts often
-Having anxious thoughts often
-Struggling with anxiety disorders (general, social, phobias, and/or panic attacks)
-Struggling with depression
-Have had traumatic experiences
-Experiencing compulsions such as OCD
-Sleeping too much or too little
-Experiencing a stressful life circumstance or transition
-Wanting better coping skills to deal with life stressors, in general
How does it work?
You will be encouraged to talk about your experience(s) in terms of your feelings, thoughts, and what is specifically troubling you in your own life. Your cognitive behavioral therapist will handle this first step with compassion and understanding, so there is no need to feel intimidated.
CBT focuses on specific problems, using a goal-oriented approach. As you go through this process, you’ll be encouraged to complete homework and practice what you discussed in the session in your everyday life.
What will we work on?
Some practical techniques you may practice or discuss with your therapist may be topics such as
Relaxation
Coping
Resilience
Stress management
Assertiveness
Thought cycles
What does the actual process look like?
In a therapy session, you will...
Identify troubling situations in your life.
This could be one or more areas you feel are most difficult for you at the current moment. It could be issues such as stress at work, difficulty with family relationships, negative thought patterns, or a life transition.
Become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs about these problems.
You’ll be encouraged to share your thoughts about the issue(s) and what your beliefs and feelings are surrounding them. You may also explore “self-talk,” which is just your own internal dialogue towards yourself and/or your situation. Your cognitive behavioral therapist will make this part as comfortable as possible, as we know discussing these topics can feel vulnerable.
Identify negative or inaccurate thinking.
Some of our thoughts, when challenged, can be found to be untrue, without all the evidence, or without any evidence at all. Awareness will be drawn to certain thoughts and then challenged and processed.
Reshape negative or inaccurate thinking.
This can be challenging. Many of our thought cycles have created their own pattern for a long time, and changing them isn’t always easy. Give yourself room to face difficult truths and process new information with as much time as you need.
Does it really work?
Yes. Research shows that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most effective form of treatment for those coping with mental health problems such as depression and/or anxiety. CBT alone is 50-75% effective for overcoming depression and anxiety after only 8-15 sessions!
What about online CBT therapy?
After studying 3,876 people, self-guided online CBT is found to be significantly more effective in lowering depression symptoms compared to face-to-face therapy sessions.
Find your way forward with CBT today.
FAQs
What is CBT therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic treatment method that helps people to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that have a negative impact on emotions and behavior.
Who benefits from CBT therapy?
CBT helps people experiencing depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias, and anyone who wants to change negative beliefs or critical self-talk. Anyone can receive the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it provides practical tools that foster greater awareness of your internal state.
What to expect from CBT therapy?
CBT follows a predictable, structured format. You will have homework in between therapy sessions where you may be asked to fill out worksheets or keep a diary log of your thought patterns. You can expect to see results gradually and will be able to take the skills with you even after finishing your cognitive therapy treatment.
How to prepare for CBT therapy?
In your first session, your therapist will gather information about your childhood, relationships, education, career, and current living situation. This will help the cognitive behavioral therapist get a better understanding of how your thoughts and behaviors are impacting different areas of your life. For CBT to be effective, you must have a willingness to change. You can best prepare by coming to therapy with a list of goals in mind.
What are some CBT techniques?
Some techniques used in CBT include identifying negative thoughts, practicing new skills, goal-setting, problem-solving, and self-monitoring (worksheets or keeping a diary log).
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can call us directly and get in touch with our client coordinator, or fill out our contact form on our website and get a response in less than 24 hours.