What is Cognitive Therapy?

Cognitive Therapy (CT) is a positive, active, and educational approach to therapy that is provided in an emotionally supportive, empathetic relationship. The focus of CT is to create change in your thinking and your life. You will have the opportunity to express your feelings and receive care while working directly on your goals.

What is Cognitive Therapy helpful for?

CT is a highly effective approach that has been proven to be successful in treating a wide variety of concerns, including:

• Anger
• Anxiety & Stress
• Depression
• Grief, loss & transition
• Guilt feelings
• Obsessions & Compulsions (food, drugs, etc.)
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Relationship problems
• Self-esteem
• Sexual problems
• Social anxiety
• Worry

Research studies have found that CT is just as effective as medications. Some studies suggest that clients who receive CT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) do not tend to have as much relapse after therapy is concluded. This outcome may be because clients learn coping skills that can be used in the future. CT may help you become more emotionally healthy, more resistant to life stressors and less prone to anxiety, depression, or other problem areas in the future.

How does Cognitive Therapy Work?
In CT, you and your therapist will work together to address your specific needs and goals. Through a variety of methods, Dr. Perper will be actively involved in helping you identify and break long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Through the course of therapy, you will learn to replace the old negative patterns with new, healthier alternatives.

We all have thoughts and beliefs about ourselves that may have developed out of childhood or other life experiences. Some of these thoughts and beliefs are less grounded in reality than others, and thus do not represent a balanced and fair view. You will learn how to recognize and challenge these beliefs by testing their accuracy. In time, you will discover that you are capable of changing these beliefs and adopting a more balanced way of thinking. As a result, you may feel a sense of freedom from old patterns, greater opportunity to pursue new life opportunities, reduce stress, and a greater sense ofconfidence and self-esteem.