How does cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) work and how can it help?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that aims to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I utilize CBT to help clients recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns, clients can develop more adaptive coping strategies and improve their overall well-being. CBT is highly effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. By teaching client's practical skills to manage their symptoms, CBT empowers them to take control of their lives and make lasting positive changes.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner. I treat clients across the lifespan and a sub-specialization in child and adolescents and addiction medicine. I make the experience a positive, supportive, and at times fun one. I am very clinical but I remove the "clinical feeling" from the experience. I am very client-focused and develop unique treatment plans that actually help them achieve their goals. I treat numerous areas of psychiatry including, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD and Trauma, Family/Couples therapy, sleep and appetite, Schizophrenia, OCD, ODD, personality, and eating disorders and addiction.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and supportive therapy. I learn about each individual client and learn my client's "story" so as to understand where they have been, where they are, and where they need/want to go. I also get to the "why" for each client, which is oftentimes the most important question.
I utilize humor and my clients engage particularly well. My clients often say I should do standup psychiatry. My clients oftentimes ask me how I know them so well. I am famous for actively listening. My clients feel they receive my clinical expertise without feeling the clinical aspects of what one may expect in psychiatry. I am highly supportive and provide relevant health education. I utilize a team-based approach. I don't speak at my clients I speak with them.
Anxiety in anticipation of the "first meeting" will be replaced by feeling more relaxed, comfortable, in a better mood, and more confident after the meeting than prior to it. They can also expect that their needs will be addressed and feel they have been "heard" by me. I am different than most in this regard as I treat my patients as I would a family member, and they can definitely feel it.
