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Overview What is Cognitive-Behavior Therapy or CBT? Wikipedia has a good definition within which Multimodal Therapy—as
it evolved from Behavior Therapy—is described. Briefly, a person is viewed within several internal and
external contexts (or environments).
CBT examines these environments in great detail to ascertain what has
shaped and continues to maintain behavior.
Then based on empirical research, from which clinical techniques are
derived, a CB Therapist applies an intervention to weaken or extinguish
undesirable behavior. Conversely, an
alternate behavioral repertoire is often taught to replace the less adaptive
behavior. “Behavior” is defined as
overt (observable actions of a person), covert (thoughts/beliefs), and
somatic (body/emotional) responses. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from which my training in CBT and Behavioral
Medicine is derived is the “brass tacks” of behavior therapy. Using ABA principles, behavior is
operationalized (or clearly defined), quantified, tracked, and even graphed
to demonstrate changes, and thus effective interventions. Observational and analytical skills are
another hallmark of ABA. Compared to
many forms of “psychotherapy,” behavior therapy is very concrete and specific. However, there are misconceptions surrounding CBT
that may include the belief that it is easy and anyone can do it. Or, that CBT is rigid, manualized and
prescribed, versus specific to an individual. That therapists who practice CBT are more interested in the
treatment than the client and are therefore less “humane” or “client
centered”. Nothing could be further
from the truth. CBT is very much a
bio-psycho-social approach to wellness involving mutual discovery and
collaboration. CBT seeks to increase
a client’s self-knowledge and to give each person the capacity to be his/her
own therapist through education and self-discovery. My interest in a career in CBT stemmed from my own negative
experiences in psychotherapy as a young woman in the late 1970’s and early
1980’s. I was labeled and
pathologized (blame the victim) or told not to “make a mountain out of a mole
hill”. I never felt better as a
result of therapy nor did I learn anything other than I was the problem. Not helpful. Discovering CBT and
Behavioral Medicine (at SIU-C) explained everything. As it turns out, making “the problem” the
behavior and not the person is very empowering. Likewise, understanding that all behavior is functional—whether
or not it’s adaptive—is also empowering.
And, learning how we’re shaped and conditioned by environmental
events, whether cultural, familial, biological, social, economic, etc.,
allows for self-acceptance—and growth—when effective tools for change are
supplied.
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The
Behavioral Approach My services focus on a continuum of client needs ranging from personal
coaching to CBT. And, while CBT
continues to be misunderstood or misrepresented, it is remarkably
effective. All good therapy is based
on the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist. Even the use of the word “client” reflects
a CB philosophy that using the word “patient” implies a person is sick. Most of us have times in our lives when
coping effectively is more of a challenge due to stress or illness or trauma. To that end, CBT is often focused more on
the “here and now” versus re-visiting the distant past, except to the extent
that past events contribute to current problems. Therapy tends to be aimed at more immediate change and can be
sought on an “as needed” basis versus a treatment approach that requires one
to settle into therapy for many months or years. And, while the primary goal is not to gain insight per se, it
is a natural by-product of CBT and most forms of therapy. CBT goes beyond the “light bulb moments”
to learning the skills to improve coping and quality of life. My approach to
service delivery is to obtain a detailed assessment of one’s internal and
external environments initially and throughout the course of treatment. Strengths and abilities are identified and
reinforced. Barriers, which often include
cognitive and behavioral conditioning, are also identified. Mutual goals are
identified and often tracked throughout the course of treatment. This is not a long, mysterious process
but a detailed analysis of what’s going on in a person’s daily life. By determining what’s working and what
isn’t, then arranging or adjusting internal and external environmental
factors, there is a great likelihood of success. From personal
coaching to CBT, the application of cognitive and behavioral interventions allows
a person to learn and practice more adaptive strategies to change and improve
functioning. Small changes can make a big
difference. |
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Behavioral
Medicine Addressing the “Mind-Body” connection is an important part of therapy. The somatic or emotional reactions we all experience are addressed through various techniques within the field of Behavioral Medicine. Relaxation training and other forms of self-regulation can be learned and practiced by most people with excellent results. Educating clients about brain science and health introduces a new perspective that often helps a person realize the brain is a unique organ with special needs. Changing one’s behavior changes the brain. Thus learning and practicing new ways of thinking, behaving, and emotionally/somatically reacting allow the brain and body to attain and maintain optimal functioning. Hypnosis is another avenue employed to tap into the not conscious (or subconscious) brain’s ability to naturally heal and facilitate change. Conditioned responses that exacerbate physical symptoms such as allergies, asthma, arthritis, migraines, IBS/colitis and other inflammatory-based or autoimmune disorders can also be addressed with hypnosis. Neurotherapy in the form of photic and audio stimulation is often useful in facilitating other brain states.
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Credentials (Jacqueline) Neysa Buckle, M.S. LMHC, LCPC, CCBT, BCBA Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis & Therapy from Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology with Business concentration Licensed Mental Health Counselor Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor Certified Cognitive-Behavior
Therapist Board Certified Behavior Analyst Professional
Memberships Association
for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Florida Association for Behavior
Analysis With nearly 25 years of professional
experience Learn more about CBT
and Mental Health (National Institute of Health pdf) |
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Services
Available Improvement of mental and physical health and wellness through
applications of behavior therapy, hypnosis and behavioral medicine in the
treatment of stress-related disorders, addictions, anxiety, mood and
emotional disorders, phobias, panic; OCD, eating disorders, smoking, and
other compulsive behaviors. Practice Location: Behavior Coach 2831 Ringling Blvd., Suite 221F Sarasota, FL 34237 Inquiries
or to schedule an appointment: 941-545-8038 Phone and Internet sessions are also available. |
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Fees
and Managed Care Important
information to obtain from your managed-care provider before scheduling an
appointment: find out exactly what is covered (outpatient therapy, inpatient
treatment, etc.), and what level of coverage you have. Ask about co-payments, deductibles, and
annual or lifetime maximums. Ask who
determines how many treatment sessions will be covered, and how/when that
decision is made. Ask what you can do
if your coverage is denied or cut short.
Find out if there is a group of providers, a “network” that you must
choose from, or if you can choose any qualified provider. If you can choose any qualified provider,
find out what licenses or degree s/he must have before coverage is authorized. Other sources of insurance and coverage
information are the Benefits or Human Resource Manager at your place of
employment, and the website of your insurance provider. Regarding
clients for whom I am not a preferred (in-network) provider: clients pay me each session and submit a copy
of the fee sheet to their insurance for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary widely and in
some cases are not much different than being in-network (once the deductible
is met). Managed care also requires a
diagnosis that becomes a permanent part of your health record. A sliding fee scale (ranging from
$65-$95 per hour) is available for those clients who meet income
guidelines and choose not to use insurance. According to the
National Institute of Health study on Mental Health (1999, see pdf link above),
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy is one of the two most effective forms of therapy
available. Providers who are
credentialed members of ABCT.org are the best source of qualified
Cognitive-Behavior Therapists. |
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More
Links Feeling Good by David Burns,
M.D. (Note: AABT/ABCT.org is linked
here also) Scientific American Mind (Magazine) A Symphony in
the Brain by Jim Robbins MindSpa
in Sarasota, FL Last Updated September 2007 |