What is evidence-based treatment?
There is a growing body of evidence to support the efficacy of evidence-based treatments for mental disorders. These treatments are based on the best available scientific evidence and are proven to be effective for specific disorders. While there is still much to learn about the causes and treatments of mental disorders, evidence-based treatments offer a promising approach to improving the lives of those affected by these conditions.
Texas Hills Anxiety and OCD uses empirically supported treatments such as Cognitive Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Habit Reversal Training (HRT / ComB model), CBT for Insomnia (CBTi), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also referred to as CBT, is an evidence-based treatment that is proven to be one of the most effective treatments for managing anxiety.
Unhelpful thoughts lead to unpleasant emotions and unhelpful behaviors that reinforce our negative thoughts/irrational thoughts and maintain the problem. Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors can interact and influence each other to create a vicious cycle.
CBT focuses on thoughts (“cognitive”) and action (“behavior”). CBT suggests that our thoughts about a situation affect how we feel (emotionally and physically) and how we behave in that situation. By identifying these unhelpful thoughts initially through the principles of CBT, we are able to stop them in their tracks.
Exposure and Response Prevention
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) / Exposure Therapy, is the gold-standard treatment for Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related concerns.
ERP is a type of behavioral therapy that exposes people to situations that provoke their obsessions and the resulting distress while helping them prevent their compulsive responses. The ultimate goal of ERP is to free people from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions so they can live better.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Many clients enter therapy avoiding their thoughts and feelings and constantly fighting or feeling guilty for these thoughts.
ACT teaches clients that acceptance is a way to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. This increases commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold your values or goals.
Psychological flexibility is one of the benefits of using ACT to treat disorders such as anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder when clients feel “stuck”.