Although we, as a people, are abundantly cared for within our organization, you may feel like you need some additional and professional help in coping with the challenges you’re facing.

Many hesitate before reaching out to a mental health professional due to concerns about not being understood, being encouraged to adopt worldly thinking, or being exposed to types of therapy that may violate their Bible-trained conscience.

As fellow Witnesses, we offer mental health coaching services that are in line with our beliefs and Bible principles.

One of the main types of therapy that we focus on is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to mental and emotional well-being that actually works. It uses scientifically proven methods that teach you the skills you need to break harmful thinking patterns and habits. For good reason, CBT is the gold standard and first-line treatment for a variety of disorders and problems.

CBT is based on the understanding that how you think and interpret life’s events affects how you think and feel.

Instead of digging through the past to understand current feelings, CBT focuses on current thoughts and beliefs. We will work together to identify, challenge, and change the thinking and views that are holding you back.

It’s not the situations in our lives that cause distress, but rather our interpretations of those situations

AARON T. BECK

Strategies to change thinking typically include:

• Learning to recognize distortions in thinking that are creating problems and reevaluate them
• Gaining a better understanding of the motivations and behaviors of others
• Learning to gain confidence in your own abilities
• Using problem-solving skills to cope with challenging situations

CBT treatment also includes efforts to change behavioral patterns. These typically include:

• Facing fears instead of avoiding them
• Role-playing to prepare for potentially challenging interactions
• Learning to calm your mind and relax your body

What is treated?

While CBT is frequently used to treat a very wide variety of problems, this is what we focus on:

• Mild to moderate anxiety
• General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
• Panic Disorder (PD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Trauma

How it works

Once you’ve completed our intake forms, which help us assess your individual needs, we’ll work out a coaching schedule that best fits you. Generally, CBT coaching will require approximately ten to twenty 1-hour sessions that occur once or twice a week.

Every session will include accompanying assignments. These usually take about 10 minutes a day to complete and are crucial to the success of CBT.

CBT is a collaborative effort between me and you using structured sessions. I’m the expert in CBT, but you’re the expert in knowing your own thinking and experience. The result that we’re trying to achieve is that you’ll be trained to the point that you can essentially become your own therapist.

Deseree Maes