Dr. Harvey’s primary therapeutic orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT.
What is the theory behind CBT?
Our thoughts about situations influence our emotional, behavioral, and often physiological, responses. A person’s perceptions can be distorted and dysfunctional, particularly when they are under stress. Learning to identify, evaluate, and modify our “automatic thoughts” so they are healthier and more adaptive is the work and goal of this therapy. This process usually reduces emotional distress and leads to healthier behaviors.
Why use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Dr. Harvey bases her work on a CBT model developed by Aaron Beck, PhD. From Dr. Beck’s website:
In hundreds of clinical trials, CBT has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of disorders. To name just a few, it has been found useful for:
- Psychiatric disorders such as depression, the full range of anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and (along with medication) bipolar disorder and schizophrenia;
- Medical disorders with a psychological component, including several conditions involving chronic or acute pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, obesity; and
- Relationship problems, such as frequent arguments, separation or divorce, and reconciliation.
The goal is to look at life through a different lens by examining and changing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
CBT is a tool that is learned during therapy and can be used for the rest of one’s life!