While there are many different kinds of treatments that are designed to help people improve their mental well-being, one of the most effective treatment modalities used by mental health providers is cognitive behavioral therapy, or as it’s often called, CBT.

Panic attacks are sudden incidents of extreme fear symptoms that cause a person to experience severe physiological symptoms that can sometimes present like a medical emergency - even when a person is not in a situation that typically causes such symptoms.

Have you ever believed something that wasn’t true or helpful to you? Have you ever jumped to conclusions, had an exaggerated idea of a situation, or had an irrational reaction to a problem? As humans, we all experience these moments in our lives, and when we do it’s often because we have just experienced the repercussion of a cognitive distortion.

When learning about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and deciding whether or not it’s right for you, it’s important to properly understand what this approach involves. An essential aspect of this exploratory time is discussing any assumptions people may have about this approach.

When people are experiencing any kind of mental distress, they are often looking for a quick, immediate cure. After all, distress is uncomfortable, right? It makes sense why someone would want an instant solution to reducing mental health distress; our brains are designed to keep us as far away from discomfort as possible as a survival mechanism.

With Purim coming up next week I’ve been struggling with the whole communal drinking thing. We have four children between the ages of 7 and 15, two boys and two girls. I don’t know how we should be approaching and talking to our kids about drinking.

My wife and I view finances from two different sides of the same coin. We are both money conscious but view spending differently. She is of the opinion that we are financially comfortable so we can spend money on non-essentials or “expensive” vacations (which is a relative term because I’m sure it’s way cheaper than what other people are doing). It’s not that she is not cognizant of saving, but she is able to live life without constantly thinking about money.

Navigating the complexities of life can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, leaving us emotionally overwhelmed and struggling to maintain healthy relationships. In these moments, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emerges as a beacon of hope, offering an evidence-based framework for addressing these challenges.

Do you often feel sad or empty? Is getting out of bed in the morning a struggle? Have you lost interest in activities that once excited you? These may be signs of depression, a widespread mental health issue affecting adults, teenagers, and even children.

If you are familiar with CBT, you know that it’s an approach that has many applications and can benefit a range of mental health concerns. However, many people may not be aware of how CBT is useful for problems related to grief and loss.

Individuals who engage in self-criticism often adopt a perspective that is excessively harsh, both towards themselves and their surroundings. They tend to concentrate on their perceived weaknesses, past mistakes, and shortcomings, which can lead to a distorted self-image. This critical lens not only amplifies their flaws, but also obscures the positive qualities and achievements they possess.

At its core, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial for people of all ages. But this modality tends to look a little different when used with younger clients, such as children and teens. There are certain approaches used as part of CBT for teens that helps younger clients understand the connection between their feelings and their actions. This article will explore some of the methods used in CBT for teens and explain how these enable the development of healthier behaviors.

Behavioral Activation is an essential skill within the realm of CBT that brings a refreshing and dynamic approach to combating depression. Think of it as your personal guide on a journey to rediscovering joy and motivation! This engaging and evidence-based therapy is designed to be structured and time-limited, making it not only effective but also manageable for those seeking relief from depressive symptoms.

I hope I’m not the only one to admit it, but I really hate winter break. No, it’s not because we don’t like spending time with our kids, nor is it the challenge of taking off work right after the secular holidays, rather it’s the really intense social and financial pressure. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But what makes CBT so powerful? The answer lies in its scientific foundation and the way it harnesses the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

My wife and I view finances from two different sides of the same coin. We are both money conscious but view spending differently. She is of the opinion that we are financially comfortable so we can spend money on non-essentials or “expensive” vacations (which is a relative term because I’m sure it’s way cheaper than what other people are doing). It’s not that she is not cognizant of saving, but she is able to live life without constantly thinking about money.

Maybe this question is a little too broad but to put it simply, there are so many things that I know I should be doing; things I actually plan and intend to do; and in the end I just don’t. I feel like I’m failing all the time because I continue to fail at the little things.

The aim of this column is to discuss psychological questions that are relevant to our community members. This can be achieved in two ways. One, personal questions written in from the readership of this paper or two, the discussion of questions and topics that come up in the course of my practice as a psychologist.

It’s probably safe to say that anxiety is the most “popular” mental illness of the day. We know this to be true from the myriad of lectures in our local communities, the preponderance and popularity of books such as Jonathan Haidt’s  “The Anxious Generation,” and the introduction of the new character “Anxiety” into Disney’s Inside Out 2.

CBT is viewed as the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders. In fact, research shows this modality is up to 74% effective for people with anxiety. Evidence suggests that it’s possible to see lower levels of anxiety after just 8 sessions of CBT.

Concepts such as trigger identification, cognitive restructuring, and behavior modification help individuals simultaneously talk and work through feelings of unease in a measurable way. This article breaks these aspects of CBT down so you can understand how they can be used to manage symptoms of anxiety.