Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well researched, effective therapy for a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, ADD/ADHD, anger management, obssesive-compulsive disorder, phobias, drug and alcohol abuse/dependence, difficulties with lack of confidence, self-esteem problems, and other issues. CBT is not just any old "talk therapy". It is an active therapy that helps you to develop the tools to make changes in your life. With CBT, we set goals and focus on alleviating your symptoms and it is a generally short-term treatment for psychological problems.
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we will look at how your thoughts and beliefs lead to your emotions and actions. As you know, many people react differently to the same situation. What accounts for this? Why is it that one person who gets a low grade on a paper feels devastated and worthless and the other realizes they just need to try harder? Why does one occurrence like someone cutting someone off on the highway lead one to respond with anxiety and another to respond with rage? In CBT, we look at the relationship between beliefs and thoughts and how these cause us to react differently to different events in life. Once we know what these beliefs and thoughts are, we can use tools to change them. In addition to changing perceptions, we can also use behavioral interventions to change thoughts and emotions.
To make an appointment for an assessment and/or discuss recommendations for treatment, call (415) 686-9544 or email drkeith@drkeithsutton.com I have offices in San Francisco and San Rafael and provide phone and/or web sessions for clients who can not come to the office.