**– CBT –**

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) uses a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment aimed at changing patterns of thinking or behavior that may be causing difficulties in people’s lives.

How CBT Works

CBT works by changing people’s attitudes and behavior through focusing on a person’s held thoughts, images, beliefs, and how these processes relate to behavior and coping with emotional problems. It is effective in the treatment of a wide range of issues, including:

Anxiety
Depression
Sleeping disorders
Relationship problems
Substance abuse
Childhood behavioral disorders

Key advantages:

Short duration (5-10 months of treatment for most emotional problems)
Only one session per week (generally around 53 minutes in length)
Client and therapist work closely together to identify and understand problems and advise appropriate treatment
Patients are introduced to a set of lasting principles that they can apply whenever they need to
Often works well in combination with medication

Garry Waterman is a licensed social worker experienced in the use of cognitive behavioral therapy. Whether you are seeking help for your own or your child’s mental health, Garry can identify the root causes of a mental disorder and advise an effective treatment plan to help improve a person’s mental health.

Who Benefits from CBT?

CBT works best by defining a specific focus and goals. People who describe having very particular problems are often ideal for the treatment. People tend to prefer CBT if they want a more practical treatment, where gaining insight isn’t the sole aim.

CBT can be an effective form of treatment for people of all genders and ages. It is most commonly used to treat or manage:

Anger management
Anxiety and panic attacks
Child and adolescent behavioral problems
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic pain
Depression
Eating disorders
Mood swings
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSD)
Sexual and relationship problems
Sleep disorders
Substance abuse problems

What is CBT?

CBT can be thought of as a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy focuses on the personal meaning people place on things, often tracing how such meaning was formed during childhood. Behavioral therapy examines the relationship between our problems, our behavior, and our thoughts. CBT can be customized to meet the specific needs and personality of each patient.

Changing behaviors and beliefs

By using CBT to change basic attitudes and ways of behaving, clients will:

Learn valuable coping skills for dealing with problems
Learn how to avoid avoiding things
Better deal with anxiety and anxious situations
Better manage depression
Improve self-esteem / self-worth
Improve personal relationships
Develop a more positive outlook on life

Take The First Step

CBT can address symptoms of mental disorders, as well as assist those experiencing severe or ongoing stress. You should contact Garry Waterman if you are experiencing:

Overwhelming sadness or helplessness that lasts for two weeks or more
Constant and persistent worry and anxiety
Disturbed sleep patterns: unusual insomnia or sleeping too much
Difficulty focusing or carrying out everyday activities
Excessive drinking or drug use
Self-harm: cutting, head-banging
Dealing with a difficult transition: divorce, death of a loved one, children leaving home (empty nest)
Children’s behavior problems