What is a cognitive behavioral therapy program, otherwise known as CBT? If you’re considering CBT for your teen, you must already know that many different types of therapeutic care can help treat the mental health issues of adolescents.

While, of course, having your teen assessed and then diagnosed is essential, parents and guardians must also do their best to learn more about each treatment option that is recommended for their teens. If you’re searching for CBT options in North Carolina for your teen, please get in touch with Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today by calling 866.300.5275 or reaching out to our team online.

What Is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program?

CBT consists of two components: cognitive strategies and behavioral interventions. Cognitive strategies involve the therapist and the client working together to recognize how certain of the client’s distorted patterns of thinking are related to their mental health issue’s symptoms. The therapist then attempts to help the client evaluate, process, and modify their inaccurate or unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs.

Behavioral interventions are derived from learning theory and are used to alter the client’s maladaptive behaviors. They help to lessen the associations between the client’s concerns and their maladaptive responses to them. Behavioral interventions include the following:

• Exposure: Clients learn to confront situations they usually avoid through exposure. This is typically a gradual process.
• Ritual prevention: Clients learn to manage and decrease ritualistic behaviors, with an overall goal of reducing anxiety or discomfort caused by certain scenarios or behaviors.
• Assertiveness training: Clients learn to use various strategies for identifying and acting upon their wants and views while still being respectful toward others.
• Activity scheduling or behavioral activation: Clients learn to constructively build routines by incorporating achievement-oriented activities and enjoyable events into their schedules.
• Problem-solving: Clients learn to recognize, analyze, and solve problems. They then evaluate the effectiveness of their solutions. If the results are not satisfactory, clients learn how to troubleshoot and create a better outcome.
• Motivational strategies: Clients increase their commitment to CBT by learning strategies that can boost their motivation.

When Is CBT an Ideal Component for Treatment Programs?

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that can be effective for a range of problems, including issues at school and substance use disorders. CBT for teens can effectively treat a wide range of common teen mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

How Is CBT for Teens Different from Other CBT Programs?

Cognitive behavioral therapy for teens and for clients of any other age is based on the idea that there’s a clear link that connects behaviors, feelings, and thought patterns. For instance, a teen who thinks they are socially awkward may then experience anxiety and avoid social interactions. CBT for teens works, in this case, by helping a teen recognize their negative thoughts. They can then replace them with more helpful and realistic ones. For instance, the teen may look forward to social situations because they will help them manage social interactions.

Teens often develop core beliefs about themselves that are unhealthy. CBT helps confront and modify these distortions. It helps teens learn how to interpret their environment differently. The approach is also very problem-focused, which means CBT deals with issues in the present. With CBT, the therapist isn’t likely to go into a teen’s childhood or look for hidden meaning in their behavior. Instead, CBT sessions focus on helping the teen with current problems.

 Learn More About Foothills at Red Oak Recovery

If you’re looking for CBT options in North Carolina, contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. Call 866.300.5275 or reach out to our team online.