You’ve taken the first step and decided that you’d like to seek help from a therapist. Your next step will be deciding what type of therapist you’d like to see. A licensed cognitive behavioral therapist will be equipped with the best psychological tactics & techniques that he or she can use to help you with various psychological difficulties, including phobias, anxiety, depression, and others.
When to Know You Need a Therapist?
Firstly, it’s important to recognize that no two life experiences are the same and that everyone has their own reasons for seeking therapy. But, generally, there are two major considerations to keep in mind when you’re searching for a therapist:
- How extreme are your feelings or emotional distress?
- To what point do your feelings or emotions get in the way of your daily life activities?
Whether your feelings of sadness prevent you from showing up to work and completing daily chores or your anxiety prevents you from attending social outings, there are many ways a licensed cognitive behavioral therapist can help you overcome these destructive patterns.
What’s the Success Rate of Therapy?
The success rate of therapy depends on the collaboration between you and your therapist and the issues that he or she is treating. Generally, success rates for treating anxiety and depression with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) average between 50% and 75%. (Hedman E., Botella C.) While success is not guaranteed, there is no harm or shame in seeking a licensed cognitive behavioral therapist to help you manage your emotional distress.
What’s the Difference between Counseling and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)?
Both counseling and CBT have extraordinary benefits to individuals. Typically, both these techniques are used to help people deal with anxiety and depression.
When it comes to counseling, we have less research we can use to prove its effectiveness. The style of counseling relies on collaborating with individuals to reach conclusions about their own lives. In most cases, counseling is recommended for individuals overcoming a major life transition or confronting a situation that’s out of their control.
These situations can include (but are not limited to) dealing with job loss, confronting the loss of a friend or family member, going through a breakup, or even coping with a natural disaster. Whether in session or post-session, getting individuals to connect the dots on their patterns goes a long way in creating individual behavior change.
Unlike counseling, we have more research we can use to prove that CBT administered by a licensed cognitive behavioral therapist is effective in treating anxiety and depression. CBT is a great recommendation for those facing repeating psychological patterns that may be a result of unresolved childhood issues. CBT can address a variety of concerns, such as:
- Mental illnesses
- Marital issues
- Alcohol and drug use problems
- Phobias
- Sleep disorders
- Panic attacks
- Eating disorders
- And more
CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on solving issues in the room by identifying a person’s beliefs, assumptions, and meanings they attach to events in the world which may lead to their emotional distress or behavioral problems. Using a CBT approach, a therapist will work with you to come up with an individualized plan to address key triggers or patterns that cause you to become upset or act out.
Change Your Life with Marcy Shoemaker, a Licensed Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
Marcy Shoemaker is an experienced & licensed cognitive-behavioral therapist who is committed to helping her patients live better lives. Skilled in CBT techniques, she will work with you to understand your unique situation and develop a plan that addresses specific areas of growth so you can live happier.
Contact Full Spectrum today to learn more about how Marcy Shoemaker can change your life!