What to Expect During Your First Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Just think about this: you've finally worked up the courage to ask your colleague out to dinner. You've had a crush on her for a long time but haven't had the confidence to tell her yet. 

You invite her out, and she politely declines. While she didn't give a reason, your intrusive thoughts begin to take over as you start thinking, "I'll never find love. I'll always be alone". When you get home later that night, your intrusive thoughts have only grown louder and louder, and you reach for the bottle of whisky to take the edge off.

   

These negative thoughts can take control of our lives without our knowledge. They can quickly escalate into something far more serious than the initial situation. Fortunately, cognitive behavioral therapy aims to address exactly such thought patterns.

So, what is cognitive behavioral therapy and how can it help you? In this blog, let’s go over the ins and outs of this therapeutic technique, as well as how redirecting your self-destructive thoughts can help you change your life. The behavioral therapists at Lifeworks mental health clinic will help you with the right treatment plan no matter what your issue is.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy used by mental health professionals to address negative thinking patterns and redirect them into more healthy, productive thoughts. This type of therapy is frequently recommended because it allows a client to get to the root of their problems more quickly.

Many therapists believe that many psychological problems stem from faulty or incorrect ways of thinking. During LifeWorks Dubai therapy, clients are empowered not only to become aware of the presence of unhelpful thoughts but also to learn better ways to manage them.

CBT Strategies for Changing Thinking and Behavioral Patterns can Include:

Teaching a client how to view these unhelpful thoughts more realistically

Educating a client on common human behaviors and motivations

Assisting a client in navigating difficult situations by teaching them new stress management techniques

Empowering a client to face their fears rather than avoid them

 Helping a client to prepare for potentially difficult situations.

Teaching a client different relaxing method

Who Might Profit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is incredibly adaptable, which is one of its best qualities. To participate in and gain a lot from CBT, you don't need to have a mental illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy is frequently used with clients who simply want to improve their ability to handle stress.

For patients with the following mental illnesses, research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is incredibly effective for:

●     Depression

●     Anxiety

●     Phobias

●     Post-traumatic stress disorder

●     Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

●     Sleeping Disorders

●     Eating Disorders

●     Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse Disorder

Teaching a client how to become their own therapist is the ultimate goal of Dubai psychotherapy. In essence, patients should be able to acquire new coping mechanisms to apply in their everyday lives. CBT works so well for a wide range of people because of this.

7 Suggestions for Maximizing the Benefits of the Therapy

You're more likely to benefit from therapy if you put what you learn in your sessions into practice outside of therapy sessions. Therapy is an individual journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. Following are some suggestions for making the most of your therapy sessions: 

1.    Make wholesome lifestyle adjustments. Your physical and emotional well-being are interrelated. Get plenty of rest, eat healthily, and stay hydrated. Make time to unwind and connect with friends and family. Also, keep in mind the benefits of exercise for mental health.

2.    Take a collaborative approach to behavioral therapy. You can make the changes you need to start healing and your therapist can only offer guidance and new perspectives.

3.    Be frank and truthful. If you express your thoughts and feelings in therapy, you'll benefit the most from it. Tell your therapist if something makes you uncomfortable to discuss or if you feel ashamed or embarrassed. You can work together to address the problems gradually.

4.    Become dedicated to your treatment. Ask yourself why if you notice that you keep missing sessions. Are you avoiding a difficult topic? During a recent session, did you cry, become upset, or become angry? Discuss your resistance with your therapist. You may make less progress if you miss therapy sessions.

5.       Do your research. Outside of your scheduled sessions, your therapist might ask you to read, write in a journal, or complete other tasks. Applying the lessons, you've learned in therapy to your everyday life can be accomplished by doing your homework.

6.    Expect delays in getting results. When you first begin Dubai therapy, you might experience discomfort as you start to examine upsetting emotions, memories, or frustrations. Your therapist is there to help you through this because it's a typical aspect of therapy. Therapy is challenging, and it might take a few sessions before you start to feel better.

Speak to your therapist if the session isn't making a difference. Make sure to let your therapist know how you're doing. You can talk about different options for getting the assistance you require if the current strategy isn't working.

Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Come with Any Risks?

Cognitive behavioral therapy generally carries no risks.

Some patients may worry that their condition will get worse during therapy. Because CBT involves bringing up emotions, memories, or ideas, you may have previously tried to suppress, it may occasionally be uncomfortable. But keep in mind, such discomfort is necessary for personal growth.

Conclusion

Face your fear as a part of exposure therapy, which is primarily used to treat phobias that are limiting your life. This process can cause patients to experience brief anxiety. Exposure therapy is one of the most successful ways to get over a phobia, so this stress is short-lived. When you are relying on Lifeworks Dubai psychotherapy sessions, you are in good hands. Visit www.lifeworks.ae for more information. 

 

LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Centre - Mental Health Clinic Dubai
1230 Umm Sequim 2, Al Wasl Road, Bahwan Villas, PO Box 215054, Dubai, UAE
971 54 400 2698