Stress Center Peer Support

I have found a therapist who does Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and I have been thinking about going. Anyone else done this and care to share their experience?

Jeannie - A good therapist, in my opinion, will work with you using CBT. This program is about CBT. It's also helpful for that therapist to have experience with OCD and Panic Attack Disorder. Ask her/him if they have this experience, and if this person is this way herself, well, that's even better.

Hi JeannieW

I work with an awesome pychologist about 6 years ago. He specialized in CBT.

It helped me tremendously. I have since kind of relapsed and starting over again

I started with a CBT therapist last year but I stopped because I felt like it was useless. But I'm sure there are way better therapists out there. What put me off about her was that I had seen her 7 times and the only anxiety coping technique she showed me was a breathing strategy that I already knew. Every session was just me talking and her advice was always do it or deal with it, basically. I was planning on looking for another CBT therapist but I never did. I did find a psychiatrist because I can't take antidepressants or they make me freak out. She diagnosed me with bipolar and put me on a mood stabilizer that, to my surprise, helped my anxiety tremendosly, but not completely. So her advice for me was to find a new therapist that uses CBT.I'm planning on doing that after my health insurance gets worked out.

In the end, I think that CBT will be a great thing for anxiety, just make sure you don't settle for a doctor you don't like. Good luck with everything!

I have a really good therapist. I have gone to him many times, especially during those times when I had agoraphobia and bad panic attacks. He used CBT and it was wonderful. It got me out of the house and even into a new job. My panic attacks lessened in number and severity. He used guided imagery, relaxation techniques and a whole host of methods. He got me to visualize my scary thoughts and guided me through them. We worked together on my problems and my anxiety levels gradually began to reduce. I still have anxious and panic episodes (sepcially when under a lot of stress) but I learned so many coping methods from him. I think it has a lot to do with the therapist. Mine has been practicing a long time and is a Phd in neuropsychology, just as an FYI. Good luck. Bob.

what is CBT?

I need some feedback. I am noticing that I am becoming more irritable at work. I am in a stressful job (purchasing agent)and deal with many problems as well as sales reps. I use to be able to let it roll off my back without getting too upset. Now, I just want to tell people to clean up their own screw ups and leave me alone! I am fine when I am in my office without too much interruption. I am not like this everyday but more than I would like.
Is this just a part of anxiety?
Kathleen Marie

I agree that Lucinda's Program is about CBT. Don't under estimate the prog. Be faithful to the prog. and listen to the CD's repeatedly. You might want to ask for a coach. The coach can help you stay focused and reinforce the important aspects. It takes time to change one's thinking and build self-esteem, even with a therapist. A good reinforcement is to read the book, What To Say When You Talk To Your Self by Dr. Shad Helmstetter.