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Psychologist's Office

MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY

Form of talk therapy that focuses on uprooting maladaptive beliefs, thoughts and perceptions that influence emotions and behavior.

OVERVIEW

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, MBCT, is a modified form of cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness practices that include present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises.

 

CBT is a short-term form of behavioral treatment. It helps people problem-solve. CBT also reveals the relationship between beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, and the behaviors that follow. Through CBT, people learn that their perceptions directly influence how they respond to specific situations. In other words, a person’s thought process informs their feelings, emotions, behaviors and actions.

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HOW CBT WORKS

CBT is grounded in the belief that how a person perceives events (based on their beliefs) determines how they will act. It is not the events themselves that determine the person's actions or feelings. For example, we may think “everything will turn out bad today.” This all-or-nothing belief may influence our focus, activates our nervous system into a 'fight-or-flight' anxiety-producing state, causing us to be on guard, over-protective and stressed. We may also miss out on opportunities of gratitude throughout the day. 

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Many of our thinking patterns and core self-concept beliefs are established in childhood. Unawareness of these core beliefs can cause havoc in all aspects of our life.

 

Through CBT we have the opportunity to navigate your core beliefs and maladaptive protective strategies. Beliefs that can lead to anxiety disorders, depressogenic episodes and dysfunction. Thus, bringing awareness to these beliefs, gives us the power to be mindful and gain Self-Leadership over them, balance them out to be aligned with reality, and no longer maladaptive.

"Take responsibility for your life — owning your problems liberates you from having to blame others for your pain. The problem is never ‘out there’ and once you appreciate this by connecting with your core beliefs and pain, power is gained knowing you create your life."
Tony Fahkry

WHAT CBT TREATS

Having clearly defined behavioral and emotional concerns makes CBT more beneficial and makes CBT’s problem-solving and goal-oriented approach a good fit. CBT is used to effectively treat many conditions, including:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Mood issues

  • Posttraumatic stress (PTSD)

  • Obsessions and compulsions (OCD)

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • Substance dependency

  • Phobias

  • Disordered eating

  • Persistent pain

  • Erratic sleep patterns

  • Sexual issues

  • Anger management issues

 

CBT is used to treat many mental health issues. But as with any type of therapy, benefits are greatest when people commit fully to the process.

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