Why CBT May Not Be The Best Option for Women In Charleston, SC

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely recognized forms of psychotherapy. Google almost any mental health concern, and you will see CBT mentioned over and over again. But any good trauma therapist will know, CBT isn’t all its cracked up to be and may not be the best choice for you. While CBT can be helpful, its popularity is due more to its simplistic formula best suited for insurance companies requirements than its appropriateness or effectiveness.

Here are 10 concerns we have with CBT:

1. Limited focus on underlying causes:

CBT primarily targets surface-level thoughts and behaviors. CBT may not be the best choice if the underlying causes of a person's issues are rooted in their past or subconscious mind. For those wanting to heal unresolved trauma or childhood wounds, there may be more suitable therapy modalities that can help you peel back the layers, grow in understanding of yourself, as well as address your goals in a whole-person framework. . 

2. Rigid format:

The formulaic structure of CBT can feel impersonal, rigid, and isolating for those who prefer a  more relational, exploratory, or open-ended approach. CBT exercises and interventions can feel prescriptive and artificial, which makes CBT a favorite modality in the “medical model” framework.

3. Exacerbates Self-Critical Thoughts:

CBT focuses on labeling thoughts and “adaptive” or “maladaptive”, which can exacerbate self-critical and shaming thoughts and feelings. For those who experience self-criticism, therapy approaches like Internal Family Systems or Person-Centered therapy may be far more healing and balanced. 

4. Not A Well Rounded Trauma Treatment:

Because trauma often does not get stored in the brain as a normal conscious and biographical memory, focusing on cognition and behavior may exacerbate a client’s symptoms. The effects of trauma are often experienced subcortically (in the subconscious), in the body (somatically), emotionally (right hemisphere), or as a dysregulated nervous system. CBT has a limited focus on these crucial areas.

5. Not all problems are Cognitive or logical:

When someone becomes overwhelmed, the “logical” part of the brain (aka the prefrontal cortex) shuts down. CBT emphasizes the left hemisphere of the brain (ie the verbal side and analytical hemisphere), and can ignores both the body and the right hemisphere of the brain (ie experiential/emotional/nonverbal).

6. Short-term focus:

CBT is generally considered a short-term therapy, which may not be ideal for individuals who desire an ongoing or open ended counseling style where they can talk about whatever feels most pressing that week. 

7. Overemphasis on self-help:

Some individuals may feel overwhelmed or pressured by the emphasis on self-help techniques in CBT. They might prefer a therapy that relies more on observation, self discovery, and organic exploration tailored to a clients unique person and expierence.

8. Limited scope for exploring emotions:

CBT tends to prioritize thoughts and behaviors over emotions. For people who need to work through deep-seated emotional issues or trauma, other therapeutic modalities like psychodynamic or experiential therapies may be more appropriate. Similarly, for those who tend to intellectualize their issues, CBT may exacerbate emotional avoidance. 

9. Lack of holistic approach:

CBT often focuses on specific problems or symptoms, and it may not take into account the broader context of a person's life, including their relationships, social environment, and overall well-being.

10. Incompatibility with specific goals:

If an individual's therapeutic goals are more oriented toward personal growth, self-exploration, or understanding the meaning of life, CBT may not align with these objectives.

It's important to remember that therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and the choice of the most suitable therapeutic approach should be based on an individual's unique needs and preferences. Ethredge Counseling Group is committed to high quality holistic therapy modalities that will explore the underlying cause, not simply putting a bandaid over the surface issue.

If you live in South Carolina and are interested in mental health counseling, you can schedule a 20min free consultation with a licensed professional counselor by following the link below!