Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a set of treatments based on empirical evidence, is the psychotherapy approach that I primarily use. It focuses on making the thought patterns that are triggering your negative moods more realistic and accurate. And by changing the way you think, you can also change the way you behave and feel.
Some general principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- Treatment is goal-oriented and focuses on helping you gain skills and tools to address your present day problems.
- I often give assignments to reinforce tools acquired during sessions and to encourage you to make more rapid progress.
- I collaborate with you to develop thinking skills that are clear and productive. You become conscious of the cognitive distortions that can trigger anxiety or depression.
- By learning to think about your problems in a more accurate way, you can gain greater self-esteem, increased intimacy in your relationships and improved performance in many areas of your life.
Philip Pierce, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist located in Los Angeles, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).