Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

If you’re searching for therapy to treat OCD or anxiety disorders, you’ve likely come across the term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). But what exactly is CBT, and how can it help you?

CBT is a research-backed therapy that explores the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is an umbrella term that includes numerous treatment options such as Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Inference-based CBT (I-CBT), and other mindfulness-based strategies. These methods are recognized as the standard for treating OCD and anxiety disorders, helping individuals reduce distress and live a more fulfilling life.

CBT is particularly helpful for:

  1. Identifying and Managing Worrying and Intrusive Thoughts: Many people with OCD and anxiety experience repetitive, distressing thoughts. CBT helps you recognize how these thoughts influence your feelings and behavior while recommending an action plan that leads to healing rather than more distress.

  2. Navigating Unworkable Cognitive Patterns: Anxiety often leads to negative thinking patterns like catastrophizing (“If I don’t do this, the worst will happen”) or all-or-nothing thinking. CBT helps you reframe and notice these patterns into more balanced and realistic perspectives.

  3. Understanding how Emotions Work: OCD and anxiety disorders produce intense and distressing emotions such as fear, anxiety, shame, and disgust. CBT helps you learn how your emotions start, what keeps you stuck, and which skills foster healing.

  4. Reducing Avoidance Patterns: OCD and anxiety disorders often rely on avoidance to manage the intense emotional experience of shame and anxiety. CBT will help you learn how avoidance only perpetuates the cycle of these intense emotions while empowering you to utilize acceptance skills to gradually face your fears.

CBT Therapists for OCD and Anxiety Near You

If you’re tired of feeling trapped by anxiety or your obsessive thoughts, CBT can help you find your way out. Research consistently shows that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for OCD and anxiety disorders, helping individuals break free from the cycle of fear and regain a sense of calm and control. Fortunately, we at OCD & Anxiety Recovery specialize in all CBT treatments listed above so that we can offer personalized care tailored to your unique needs.

Whether you’re in Dallas, Houston, or elsewhere in Texas, know that help is available. Contact OCD & Anxiety Recovery to start your journey toward healing and freedom.