How Does Cognitive Therapy Work?

A lot of people understand Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (once explained) but most potential clients ask “how do you do it in treatment?”  Here’s a little on some of the efforts made in treatment;  Cognitive Therapy talks about triggers; clients talk about feelings and thinking that leads to involvement in destructive behaviors like drug and alcohol addiction.  It also goes beyond talking.  Any good center that utilizes it will give strong educational homework like assignments that are given with expectations on how to relax and just be with your feelings.  “Lots of people with addiction hate being with feelings and they use these behaviors to escape uncomfortable feelings.  So Cognitive therapy will sort of focus on groups, individual sessions and bio feedback to help one regulate and stay with just uncomfortable feels and be able to manage without escaping them.” Dr. Marc Kern, Director of Addiction Alternatives.