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One of the therapeutic models used at Horizon Rehab Center is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As an evidence-based approach, CBT is helpful when treating a variety of disorders including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and many other common issues our clients may struggle with.

CBT has become one of the most effective and widely used modern therapies in addiction treatment since its development by Albert Ellis and Aaron T. Beck in the 1980s. It looks to explore how a client’s thoughts and beliefs will influence their actions and enables clients to dispute negative thoughts. The result of this is an improvement in mood and strengthening in healthy and effective behaviors.

At Horizon Rehab Center clients will learn the basics of CBT, alongside other methods, and will develop these skills, allowing them to put these principles to good use during their stay as well as in everyday life once they graduate from our facility.

What Principle Underlies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

There was a quote by a famous author that perfectly encapsulates the principle that underpins Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and that quote is “Don’t believe everything you think”
~ Robert Fulghum

Indeed, one of the core philosophies of CBT is how we think and what we believe about a certain situation, influences how we feel and react, more than the situation itself. People that have developed healthy ways of seeing the world will react to adversity in a much more effective way than someone who has distorted beliefs and negative thoughts.

Cognitive Distortions

A cognitive distortion is a pattern of thinking that is irrational and leads to negative emotions. Some examples of cognitive distortions include:

All-or-nothing thinking: Seeing things in black-and-white terms, rather than recognizing that most things exist on a spectrum.

Overgeneralization: Drawing broad conclusions based on a single event or piece of evidence

Mental filter: Focusing on the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the positive aspects.

Disqualifying the positive: Dismissing positive experiences or accomplishments as being unimportant or irrelevant.

Magnification (also known as "catastrophizing" or "minimization"): Exaggerating the importance of a problem or minimizing the importance of something positive.

Emotional reasoning: Believing that your emotions reflect the way things really are, rather than recognizing that your emotions can be influenced by your thoughts and beliefs.

Should statements: Believing that things should be a certain way, and feeling frustrated or angry when they are not.

Personalization: Blaming yourself for things that are not your responsibility or attributing negative events to your own actions, when they may be due to other factors.

Expected Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

When people enter treatment for addiction and mental health issues and fully engage with the therapist and make a concerted effort to confront some of their cognitive distortions and negative beliefs, they should expect to learn to be able to:

Gain an ability to manage stress, anxiety, and depression effectively.

Improve their sense of well-being

Transform negative patterns of thinking into positive ones

Manage cravings and triggers in order to avoid relapse.

Building confidence and self-esteem

A healthier way of viewing the world

One of the benefits of this form of therapy is that it has been proven to be effective in a short period of time. Unlike other talk therapies which can take years to uncover some core problems, CBT looks to focus on the ‘here and now’ and provide solutions that can be applied immediately. It is an engaging therapy and offers the ability for a client to begin working towards specific goals and making positive changes in their life today.

How we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In a safe and comfortable environment while working with your individual therapist you will explore and look at specific things in your life that have been causing stress and discomfort. As the therapeutic process continues you will develop ways to dispute the unhelpful beliefs and negative thoughts that have contributed to these feelings. Doing so will directly affect how you feel about certain situations and help you to change your behavior in a positive way.

Each client that enters treatment will learn and practice CBT exercises during their time at our center. A combination of individual therapy, as well as CBT-focused group therapy, is employed, and this dynamic approach allows for greater results.