More Than CBT

The therapist helps the individual recognize their negative thoughts and belief patterns by speaking with the client to understand the individual’s issues, history, and goals. This involves identifying the specific problems and the individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with these problems.  Sometimes, therapists may have individuals keep a diary of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, especially during stressful or emotional times. This helps in identifying patterns of negative thinking.

These thoughts are then questioned and challenged to see if they hold true. The therapist may use questions to challenge the individual’s negative thoughts like “What evidence do you have for this thought?” or “Is there an alternative explanation?” to help the individual see their thoughts from different perspectives.  They may also have the clients test the validity of their thoughts and beliefs through real-life experiments.

The individual learns to replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. This involves replacing negative and irrational thoughts with positive and realistic ones. The individual learns to think in a balanced way, considering both the positive and negative aspects of a situation.  The therapist may also encourage the individual to use positive affirmations and self-talk to build self-esteem and reduce anxiety.

This involves engaging in activities that are aligned with positive thoughts and feelings such as encouraging the individual to engage in activities that bring pleasure or a sense of accomplishment.  It can also involve gradually exposing the individual to feared situations to reduce anxiety and avoidance behaviors. This is particularly useful for phobias and anxiety disorders.  Also, therapists will often teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to manage stress and anxiety.

Our More Than CBT framework goes beyond traditional CBT and incorporates new techniques not used in traditional CBT.  We also include other therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure Therapy (ET), and Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Therapy (MBBT) to give clients as many tools as possible to help them overcome their OCD or anxiety.