Cognitive Therapy Institute APC

Information may not be reliable

The Cognitive Therapy Institute has provided psychotherapy and training in the San Diego community since 1991. The Institute was incorporated in 2003.
We strive to offer the highest quality of cognitive (and cognitive-behavioral) therapy to our clients, using established treatment programs that have proven effective for panic attacks, phobias, PTSD, OCD, social anxiety, depression, and other anxiety conditions. Mindfulness meditation of other approaches that have proven effective when integrated with cognitive therapy are also offered to support optimal health and resiliency. We recognize that each individual or family comes with their own unique background, needs and preferences, thus we attempt to work together with you in a supportive and flexible way to reach your particular goals. We offer group therapy and other reduced fee options, and under some circumstances a sliding scale fee may be available.
The Cognitive Therapy Institute (CTI) also offers training and supervision of mental health professionals and interns regarding the practice of cognitive therapy. The training is provided by a certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy . We also offer classes and consultation to businesses, organizations, and to the general public regarding the personal and professional benefits of cognitive therapy.

What is Cognitive Therapy?
Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy have emerged in recent years as the leading form of psychotherapy for panic, anxiety, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, stress, and many other conditions. It was developed and refined over the past four decades through the pioneering work and research of Aaron T. Beck M.D., in conjunction with extensive research and contributions by many other clinicians around the world. Cognitive Therapy (CT) is often referred to as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because of the frequent use of strategies and techniques developed initially within the behavior therapy field. CT maintains a holistic approach to each unique individual, recognizing the interrelationship between our thinking, behavior, emotions, and physiology as they interact with a given environmental context. The primary emphasis in CT is on identifying, evaluating, and changing dysfunctional patterns of thinking and relevant underlying beliefs (i.e. cognition) that are causing or maintaining anxiety, depression, or other problems. In general, cognition is represented in the way we view ourselves (self-image), other people, and the world, in our day-to-day lives. It involves the particular or unique meaning that we give to things we experience. For example, some people may interpret their own shortcomings or mistakes as perfectly normal parts of being human, whereas others might interpret similar shortcomings as meaning "I'm a failure", or they may believe "People won't like me if they know about these flaws".
The term "cognitive", at a more scientific level, refers to the psychological structures, processes, and resulting thoughts (or images) that are relevant in our way of perceiving and reacting to life events. Cognitions include phenomena such as perceptions, thoughts, images, assumptions, expectations, schemas, and beliefs: Each of these directly affects our emotional reactions, behavior, relationships and virtually all areas of life.
Excessive worry about things that "might happen", frequent self-criticism, or chronic self-doubt are just a few examples of cognitive patterns that cause or perpetuate anxiety and depression, and which might interfere with activities or progress in life. Such dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs may seem completely true, or may be occurring at a subconscious level, thus we may not be aware that they involve exaggerations, distortions, or unbalanced views about ourselves and the world. Dysfunctional thinking patterns can usually be changed in a significant and positive way through CT, providing some immediate relief from emotional distress. Further, learning to change such maladaptive thinking and the relevant underlying beliefs can lead to lasting improvements in emotional reactions, self-esteem, relationships, and other areas of life. CT requires conscious work on the part of the client, but your therapist will provide support and guidance in the process.

Examples of dysfunctional cognitions:
Panic:“These racing thoughts / weird feelings of detachment / out of control feelings… must mean I’m going crazy!”, or , “I’m not getting air!… I’m going to pass out! … I must get out of here!”, or, “I’m having a heart attack! (when the heart has been tested and is fine), or “I’ve got to pull the car over or else I’m going to lose control!”

Social Phobia:“I don’t know what to say to people… They’re going to notice how uncomfortable I am…They’ll see my face turn red … my hands shaking … my voice tremble… and they will think I’m weak/weird, and won’t want anything to do with me!”

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:“What if he was in an accident!” , “ What if this pain is an early sign of cancer!”, “What if I lose my job!”, “What if we can’t pay the bills!”
Depression:“I never do anything right…I’ve messed up so many things in my life…I feel like a total failure…I’m too depressed to even go for a walk…Whatever I try, I’ll just fail at it… Everything in the world is going downhill…Who would want to be around me …. No one really cares… What’s the use…I’ll never come out of this depression…”.

OCD:“I’m contaminated … have to wash my hands again…can’t take any chances.”, or “If I don’t go back and check, I’ll be responsible for starting a fire!”, or “Having that awful thought must mean I’m a bad person…(or) must mean I’ll lose control and do it!”

Anger:“I shouldn’t have to explain it to them a second time…Those people are so stupid!”, “How come everything in the world is so screwed up!”, “I hate getting stuck in these ridiculous lines…”, or “She/He is always doing that to me!”

Relationship issues:“She did that because she’s trying to control me.” “If he really cared, I wouldn’t have to ask him to help with the dishes.” “She never wants to do what I want to do”. “The best way to deal with him/her is to just avoid the whole issue.”

How is Cognitive Therapy different from other therapies?
Cognitive therapy (CT) employs a positive, active, educational approach that focuses on how to change and on seeking solutions rather than just simply talking about your past, or “exploring” your feelings and problems. CT is typically provided within an emotionally supportive, empathic relationship, giving opportunity to express feelings and receive caring in addition to working directly on positive changes in your thinking and your life. The treatment is often short term, because it is more focused on specific goals and treatments techniques, and because it is based in a clear cognitive conceptualization that guides the treatment process. CT emphasizes a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the client wherein they work together to specify goals and to implement the treatment strategies. Each client is assisted in using CT/CBT techniques that will help in resolving current areas of difficulty as well as learning skills that will be useful in preventing relapse and in dealing with future life challenges.

What actually occurs in cognitive therapy sessions?
CT directly teaches specific ways to examine and correct dysfunctional thinking patterns or beliefs, those that are causing or contributing to problems in your life. We typically use worksheets and weekly assignments for the client in order to accomplish the therapy goals. CT also teaches how to focus our thinking onto solutions (problem-solving) rather than becoming trapped in obsessing on problems or fears. Behavioral strategies are often used with CT to develop skills such as assertiveness or problem-solving, but are also used to test out the accuracy or usefulness of certain thoughts and beliefs that we may have developed out of childhood or other life experiences. Often we need “reality experiments” to prove to ourselves that what we fear really is not true, or that we could cope with particular circumstances, or that we are capable of changing certain habits. The results of this type of therapy may include a sense of freedom from old patterns, greater opportunity to pursue new life opportunities, reduced distress, and a greater sense of confidence and self-esteem.
What about medications?
CT has been developed and researched as a treatment that can usually occur completely on its own for depression, panic disorder, other anxiety disorders, and many other conditions. CT can also be used in conjunction with medication treatments. Many of our patients are taking medications while receiving Cognitive Therapy. Some choose to continue the medications even after therapy is completed, while many others are able to successfully reduce or discontinue the medications during a course of Cognitive Therapy.

Numerous research studies have shown that CT or CBT are very effective in the treatment of panic, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, social anxiety/phobia , obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specific phobias, chronic anger, and other problems with fear, worry, or stress. Repeatedly, studies have shown that CT/CBT are just as effective as medications (such as Prozac) for these conditions and in some ways are superior to medications. For example, CT does not have the side effects that are typical with medications, and, some studies suggest that patients receiving CT or CBT do not tend to have as much relapse after treatment is concluded. This outcome may be because clients learn coping skills that can be used in the future, and because they often change underlying dysfunctional beliefs and related patterns of thinking and behaving (such as self-criticism, worry or avoidance). They may thereby be reducing a “cognitive vulnerability” to their condition. Thus, clients who receive CT may become more emotionally healthy, more resistant to life stressors and less prone to anxiety, depression, or other problem areas in the future.