Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular evidence-based talk therapy frequently used in treating various mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. CBT focuses on how changing existing thinking patterns can result in behavioral change. Suppose your teen struggles with mental health, substance use, or behavioral issues. The cognitive-behavioral therapy program at Imagine Nampa in Idaho can be an integral part of individualized treatment to promote lasting recovery.
For teens with mental health issues, the sooner they receive treatment, the better the outcomes. Imagine Nampa delivers high-quality, comprehensive mental health treatment for teens ages 12-17. Reach us at 888.503.4604 to learn how our programs can benefit your teen and family.
How Can Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Help Your Teen?
CBT works on the process of gaining knowledge (cognition) and the ways a person conducts themselves (behavior) by having them work through problematic patterns of thinking and behavior. CBT focuses on the present moment rather than focusing on past events or worrying about the future.
The theory behind CBT is that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected and that a person’s thoughts, not external events or experiences, influence their behaviors. At Imagine Nampa, our adolescent CBT program aims to help teens identify and change negative or unhealthy thinking patterns that can contribute to harmful emotions and risky behaviors.
A great deal of scientific evidence shows that CBT methods produce change and do so relatively quickly. Our highly trained clinicians use CBT in a variety of individual, group, and family therapy sessions that help teens:
- Recognize that distortions in their thinking contribute to their problems
- Learn to communicate thoughts, feelings, and emotions in healthy ways
- Develop insight into the motivations and behaviors of others
- Acquire critical problem-solving skills to cope with challenging situations
- Develop new habits and behaviors to replace maladaptive ones
- Cope with and overcome grief, loss, and trauma
- Develop a greater sense of self-confidence
Because CBT is highly goal-oriented, our clinicians work closely with teens to identify specific goals for therapy. This client-centered approach helps teens regain a sense of control over their lives. Teens participate in important exercises within and between therapy sessions. Recovery becomes more manageable by using CBT to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals. Clients can see concrete results on a session-to-session basis, which helps them become more invested in treatment.
Healthy Methods of Coping with Stress
Not all stress is bad. For example, stress can push your teen to study for an upcoming exam or practice longer before a big game. However, chronic stress is harmful to mental and physical health. Familiar sources of teenage stress include:
- Tension in the home
- Peer pressure
- Academic pressure
- School shootings and lockdown drills
- Social issues such as climate change
- Bullying
- Sexual or physical violence
While stress is unavoidable, there are ways to manage it so that it doesn’t negatively impact your physical and psychological well-being. Teens must have these stress management skills for chronic stress associated with mental health disorders.
How Can Teens Manage Chronic Stress?
First, teens need to acknowledge chronic stress and not try to manage it alone. Encourage teens to talk with friends, family, or a medical professional. Just as stress affects everyone differently, ways to effectively manage stress will vary from person to person. However, there are some commonly agreed-upon health coping mechanisms, including:
- Regular exercise
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Avoiding drugs and alcohol
- Practicing yoga and meditation
- Getting enough sleep
- Journaling or writing out thoughts
- Learning mindfulness techniques
At Imagine Nampa, CBT, art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and learning to identify triggers are all tools that can be part of your teen’s individualized treatment plan to address chronic stress.
Contact Imagine Nampa for Adolescent CBT and Stress Management
Stress is a natural and unavoidable part of life. However, chronic stress poses serious psychological and physical health risks. At Imagine Nampa, we are committed to helping promote teen well-being by providing comprehensive mental health treatment, including:
- Anxiety treatment
- Depression treatment
- Bipolar treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Co-occurring disorders treatment
Choose cognitive-behavioral therapy from Imagine Nampa to help your teen learn, heal, recover, and go on to lead a healthier and happier life. Contact our team at 888.503.4604 or use our secure online form.