Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in Knoxville, TN

Therapists and Counselors in Knoxville, TN — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven therapeutic technique that has been utilized to help people facing a wide array of challenges. Research has shown that CBT can help individuals implement significant and long-term changes within their lives. In particular, clients who struggled with anxiety and depression experienced as much symptom relief through CBT as they did with medication. CBT focuses on equipping individuals with the cognitive and emotional skills they need to face the challenges in their lives.

The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Knoxville offer cognitive behavioral therapy, and we have seen the transformation that can happen in a client’s life. When they change their thinking, clients often change their lives. To experience the benefits of CBT yourself, reach out to us today to schedule an appointment.

What Can CBT Treat?

Counselors utilize CBT to treat emotional, social, psychological, and relational difficulties such as…

• Relationship issues
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anger management
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Anxiety
• Self-destructive habits
• Insomnia
• Drug and/or alcohol addiction
• General health issues
• Child and adolescent issues

What Exactly Is CBT?

The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is not to change people’s circumstances, although that is often a by-product of the work people do. Instead, CBT’s focus is upon how people are responding to their circumstances.

During a typical CBT session, clients will present a real-life challenge they are facing. CBT is practical to its core. The therapist and client work together to process this particular challenge. While people may or may not be able to change the scenario, they can change their own perspectives. Clients and therapists work to identify cognitive distortions—untrue and negative thoughts that are holding the client back. After these are identified, they can be replaced with truthful, positive thoughts.

Problematic Cognitive Distortions

Untrue, negative thoughts have a name—cognitive distortions. These can exacerbate an already difficult circumstance, and at times, cognitive distortions can create problems that did not previously exist. The first step toward changing these is usually to become aware of them. Cognitive distortions that commonly plague people may include…

• Polarized thinking that sees the world as either-or, black-and-white, or all-or-nothing.
• Blaming seeks out fault and blame in every situation, even though at times no one is to blame.
• Catastrophizing over-emphasizes the negative and expects the worst possible outcome for every situation.
• Control fallacies mean people assume too much control over a situation or refuse to accept control that is rightfully their—possibly seeing themselves as victims of the universe, luck, and/or fate.
• Filtering dismisses any positivity so that people also see what may be wrong or what is negative.
• Overgeneralization uses a one-time experience or event to formulate a universal principle.
• Emotional reasoning does not delineate between external reality and people’s internal feelings. Just because someone feels incompetent does not mean they are.
• Fairness fallacy uses a subjective standard for fairness to compare and contrast oneself with others.

Schedule Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Thriveworks Knoxville

If you are ready for a more positive perspective on your life, consider cognitive behavioral therapy. Thriveworks Knoxville has appointments available, and our staff is experienced, trained, and caring.

When you reach out to our office, you’ll have options–evening and weekend sessions, in-person and online care, and so much more. Plus, we accept most major insurances.

Contact Thriveworks Knoxville today. Let’s work together for a more positive outlook.