Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT – in Los Angeles, California

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based type of psychotherapy, which is also sometimes referred to as talk therapy. 

At our treatment center in Los Angeles, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on helping people identify self-defeating thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors, with the goal of empowering them to develop healthier ways of thinking and acting. 

Within CBT therapy sessions, these negative thought patterns are often referred to as cognitive distortions. Distorted thinking can skew a person’s perception of what is actually occurring, which can prompt misguided behavioral responses and lead to considerable distress.

Examples of Cognitive Distortions

• Jumping to conclusions: This may involve mindreading (believing that you understand a person’s thoughts or intentions) and predictive thinking (assuming that you know what will happen in the future based on something that just occurred). Both mindreading and predictive thinking often prompt people to assume the worst.  
• Catastrophizing: This cognitive distortion is related to jumping to conclusions. People who catastrophize take a minor, relatively innocuous occurrence, and magnify its potential for causing grievous harm. For example, a person who catastrophizes may make a small error at work and immediately think they will be fired, never find another job, and endure financial devastation.
• “Should” statements: These are rigid expectations that people hold for themselves or others. They are typically accompanied by exaggerated fears of what will occur if someone fails to live up to these self-created standards. “Should” statements leave little to no room for minor variances, which leads to an “all or nothing” mindset. Behaviors are seen as either acceptable or unacceptable, with no middle ground.
• Polarized thinking: Polarized thinking is related to “should” statements. People who experience this type of cognitive distortion view the world from a stark black/white or good/bad perspective. Polarized thinking can cause a person to believe they are a failure if they’re not perfect. 
• Emotional reasoning: People who engage in emotional reasoning misinterpret their feelings and emotions as facts or truths. For example: A person is scheduled to give a presentation at work. They begin to worry that they might bore their audience. This transitions from a concern into a firm belief that they will definitely be boring, which causes them to believe that they are a boring person. They may then extend this into a belief that others also think they’re boring. 
• Personalization: Someone who engages in personalization will typically blame themselves whenever something goes wrong. This may include events that they had an extremely small role in, or that they weren’t involved in at all. (In the latter case, this may manifest as “My failure to get involved caused everything to go wrong. Thus, this is all my fault.) 
• Discounting the positive: This type of cognitive distortion is common among people who have poor self-confidence or low self-esteem. When something bad happens to them, they believe that they deserved it and/or that it was all their fault. When something good happens, they view it as an anomaly, an accident, or an error. 

At Sanctuary Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CBT therapy sessions are customized according to the specific needs and goals of each person. 

In general, cognitive behavioral therapy sessions In Los Angeles, CA are confidential, one-on-one conversations. A typical session lasts less than an hour. Participants usually take part in several sessions, which allows them to make sustained progress toward their treatment objectives.  

Cognitive behavioral therapy is not a passive experience. It is a dynamic, goal-oriented approach. During CBT sessions at our center in Los Angeles, participants are encouraged to work in active collaboration with their therapist. Participants identify specific challenges they have been facing, then they and their therapist work together to develop focused solutions.

Through the decades, cognitive behavioral therapy has proved to be an effective element of care for people who have developed a variety of mental and behavioral health concerns. At Sanctuary Treatment Center, our CBT therapy in Los Angeles, CA may be incorporated into treatment for people who have disorders such as the following:

• Substance use disorders (addiction)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Please note that this is by no means a comprehensive list of all disorders that CBT can treat. For additional information about cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles or any other element of care at our center, please contact us directly.

Here are just a few of the many beneficial reasons for taking part in our cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles, California:

• At our center, CBT is incorporated into comprehensive, personalized treatment plans.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people make specific changes that can have a direct impact on their quality of life.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy promotes improved self-esteem and a healthier sense of self.
• CBT sessions are safe spaces where participants receive customized guidance from experienced professionals. 
• Our therapists possess both a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to quality, patient-focused care. 
• CBT sessions demonstrate that people are capable of regaining control of their thoughts and behaviors. 
• During cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, participants develop skills that can serve them well throughout their lives. 

Sanctuary Treatment Center is a premier provider of cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles. Our treatment center is a safe and supportive place where adults receive comprehensive treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer multiple levels of care and a customized array of therapies and services, all provided by a team of skilled and dedicated professionals. Contact us today to learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy and the other services that can give you or your loved one the best chance of overcoming addiction and mental health conditions in Los Angeles, CA.