Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a term you will probably see if looking for a family therapy program or drug and alcohol rehab. CBT is a tool our psychotherapists at CeDAR use to help patients become more aware of negative thinking and how it affects their actions and their lives overall.

CeDAR is a comprehensive addiction treatment program associated with UCHealth. In fact, we are located right across the street from UCH Hospital in Denver, although you might not notice us. Our setup is more like a college campus than a treatment facility.

If you or someone you love needs therapy, call us at 720.848.3000. We can help.

cognitive behavioral therapyWhat Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

CBT is a form of talk therapy used in a variety of treatments, including addiction. It is an effective tool by itself or in combination with other treatment modalities.

CBT works on certain core principles. For example, mental health disorders often develop based on faulty or misguided thinking. They also involve learned patterns of behavior that are unhelpful and unnecessary. CBT works to help people find better ways to cope.

Cognitive-behavior therapy typically involves steps such as:

  • Identifying problem situations or conditions
  • Becoming aware of how thoughts, emotions, and faulty thinking about these problems can drive behavior
  • Understanding negative or inaccurate thinking
  • Reshaping thought processes to see the situation differently

It can be a difficult but rewarding process.

How Does CBT Work?

The therapy focuses on recognizing how people can distort their thinking, often in ways that create problems in their life. CBT shines a light on that distorted thought process to show how it compares to reality. Once someone has a better understanding of how their thinking affects their actions and responses to difficult situations, the patient and therapist work together to develop better problem-solving skills.

Finding ways to cope with issues in life creates a better sense of self-worth and confidence. That can lead to changes in behavior, including alcohol and drug abuse.

Psychiatric Care at CeDAR

Substance use disorders and mental health issues tend to go hand-in-hand. For example, someone experiencing depression might drink to feel better. Over time, drinking is the only thing they turn to when they feel sad. They continue to self-medicate with alcohol and develop a dependence on it. If they try to stop drinking, they get sick, so they start again.

Psychiatric Care at CeDAR

Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic, and psychosis can leave people looking for ways to self-medicate, so they turn to drugs or alcohol. They may work well at first, but it’s a temporary fix. All drugs have side effects; some are worse than others. It is terrifying to realize you have become dependent on a substance that is causing more harm than good. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis involving drugs, a Denver psychiatric hospital can help you get stable and on the path to healing.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at CeDAR

CeDAR is a Denver residential detox, rehab, and psychiatric care center. We combine medication and therapy to help patients with substance use and mental health disorders such as depression, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Our team of healthcare professionals employs different techniques to help find recovery, including CBT.

Find a Therapist in Denver

CBT at CeDAR might start with a few sessions to allow the patient and the therapist to know one another better. During that time, they go over the thoughts and feelings behind unhelpful behaviors such as drug abuse.

CBT is goal-oriented, so the focus is on specific problems to resolve them or cope better when they occur. CBT is just one of many programs available at CeDAR. Services at CeDAR include:

  • Family therapy programs
  • Residential care with separate living arrangements for men and women
  • Outpatient services that include a 26-week curriculum
  • Partial hospitalization for those with a strong family support system
  • Alumni services to support recovery once you finish the program

If you know someone that would benefit from CBT, give us a call at 720.848.3000 or go online and fill out our contact form to find out more about CeDAR.