Psychological Strategies that Help – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Bear Psychology Podcast

CBT is one of the most common interventions and tends to deal with every day struggles that you might have in dealing with life events. A CBT approach might help you deal with negative thinking and adapt your behavior so you are more engaged and less impacted by fearful beliefs. The book is full of well-structured and organized resources. The book is supported by video exercises and templates on the publisher's website (NewHarbinger.com).

Our guest is Dr. Nina Josefowitz, renowned psychologist and co-author of 'CBT Made Simple; A Clinicians Guide to Practicing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based intervention for addressing the impact of mental health struggles. The CBT approach is one of the most well researched psychological interventions and has demonstrated efficacy. This structured and often goal oriented approach can lay a strong foundation for early career mental health professionals beginning to work with clients, as well as for individuals who are struggling with emotional disturbances and learning to reclaim their lives. The CBT approach provides excellent step-by-step guidance moving toward self-understanding and a balanced mechanism for stabilization.

The research on CBT has demonstrated it as a power-house of intervention (Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer and Fang, 2012) for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger management, stress disorders and chronic pain.

In Nina's book, she focuses on the importance of both teaching and practicing the skill, to ensure the intervention can be both understood and used when needed.

She focuses on Behavioral Activation as a crucial step toward recovery and encourages strategies for self-reflection on current daily activities as a starting point. In her work, she breaks down exercises using templates that give the user a deep dive into their own behaviors and a clearer sense of ownership over what is working and what is leading to emotional and mental health struggles.

If you read through some of her exercises and watch her videos, you will see a clinician with a deep sense of care and compassion for her clients.

Links & Resources:

• Dr. Nina Josefowitz, CPsych, Psychologist, Toronto, ON, M6G https://www.drninajosefowitz.com/

• CBT Made Simple – preview: https://bit.ly/3uQnUkh

• CBT Made Simple – videos / templates: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684034550/#nh-book-accessories