Maximize the Benefit of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be as effective as medications for adult ADHD as well as anxiety and depression and here are seven strategies to help you maximize the benefit of this therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on the science that by identifying our distorted thoughts and beliefs, we can have better control over thoughts, thus better control over our feelings. Having distorted thoughts or beliefs doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with us. We all have distorted thoughts and beliefs at different times in our lives. 

Some examples of distorted thoughts:

OVER-GENERALIZING: At times, we may see things as all-or-nothing. For example, if one thing goes wrong with a project, we may think that the entire project is a failure. Or, if there is one thing that upsets us about a person, we may decide we don’t care for that person at all.

MIND READING: We assume that we know what someone is thinking. We may tell ourselves that someone thinks we are “stupid” or does not like us even though there is no evidence that supports this thought. This is called mind reading.

CATASTROPHIZING: We exaggerate how “awful” something is or imagine the worst possible outcome. Perhaps our boss wants to speak with us and we catastrophize that we are going to be fired. Or, it rains on one of the days of a vacation and we think “this is the worst thing that could have happened”.

FORTUNE TELLING: We think we know for sure what is going to happen. For example, we tell ourselves, “I know I am not going to get that promotion” or “I won’t be able to handle that assignment”.

In addition, specific behaviors or skills are taught including social skills, assertiveness, organizational skills, and relaxation techniques. These are taught during and between sessions.

Below, are seven top tips that I will share with you that I have found helpful over the years in my practice:

1. DISCUSS GOALS OF TREATMENT

During the initial assessment phase of cognitive behavioral therapy, it is important to collaborate on the goals of treatment. This helps keep the treatment focused and productive. Without goals, therapy can end up focusing on whatever problem is coming up that week and can interfere with the progress of the original presenting problems. Sometimes, the patient may not be able to specifically describe a goal except a vague “I want to be less anxious” or “I want to feel happier”. This is fine at the beginning. However, over the first couple of months, you should return to this discussion about goals to see if they can be described in more specific terms.

For example, if someone presents with depression, the goals may include the following: Finding a more fulfilling job, returning to college, exercising three times a week, making two new friends, and stopping the use of marijuana.

2. START EACH SESSION WITH AN AGENDA

Every cognitive behavioral therapy session should start with an agenda that is discussed collaboratively between the therapist and the patient. Again, this helps to keep the session focused and more effective. The agenda should include following up on homework from the previous session, a check-in about the mood and week, bridging or reviewing the topics and progress from the previous session, and topics related to discuss in the current session that is related to a specific goal.

3. DISCUSS WHERE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE

Most therapy goals will have several components including distorted thoughts, beliefs or behaviors. Thus, during the session, collaboratively decide on which level to address the goals. If you are working on distorted thoughts, it is important to elicit what thoughts or images occur that are leading to distress, such as anxiety, low mood, or blocking a certain behavior. If you are working on certain behaviors such as social skills or relationship issues, it is important to discuss when the skills will be used and how likely it is the skills will be used. Another useful technique for addressing behaviors is role-playing and visualizing which helps to practice the skills and address any blocks or anxieties around the behavior.

4. USE FLASHCARDS

Flashcards can be used to remember the key points of the session or a mantra that may help with certain thoughts or feelings. If I am working with a patient who is struggling with depression, I will title the flashcard something like “Survival Kit” and it will include strategies to cope with the depression such as reaching out to a friend, getting out of the house, reaching out to me, or taking care of a small chore.

5. STAY FOCUSED

At the beginning of cognitive behavioral therapy, goals for therapy are discussed. Sometimes, the therapy session may head in a direction that is unrelated to any of the goals of treatment. This is appropriate at certain times, but if this is happening every session and for the entire duration, then there can be a limit to the progress of therapy. Structure is important in CBT, but flexibility is also important. This would be a time to collaborate to discuss whether to continue on the current diversion or issue that is being discussed or go back to what was discussed in the agenda.

6. ASSIGN HOMEWORK

Towards the end of each session, a collaborative discussion takes place about homework or “action tasks” to perform between sessions. An action task might be to buy a calendar if one of the issues is time management or recording thoughts and images that occur during stressful periods in a notebook to discuss and address at the following session. Always make sure to follow-up on the homework or action task at the next session or it creates the impression that working on problems or goals in between sessions is not a crucial part of getting better.

7. ASK FOR FEEDBACK

Towards the end of the session, ask what went well during the session, what could have gone better, and what the main take-away messages are. This helps to build the alliance, improve future sessions, and maximize progress.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an extremely effective form of therapy for depression and anxiety. I hope that you found these seven top tips for cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression helpful!

If I can be of help or you have any questions about cognitive behavioral therapy, anxiety, depression or medications, please feel free to email me at scott@scottshapiromd.com or call 212-631-8010.