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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
In recent years evidence-based treatments have shown to be particularly effective in treating addiction patients above and beyond medically assisted treatments. Here at California Prime we use several therapy modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other psychiatric therapies in various combinations that are tailored to each individual client. Our comprehensive treatment plans almost always include a combination of various types of therapies and treatments so that our clients can walk away with coping skills when they are on their own.
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT) has recently been shown to be as effective as, if not more, than other evidence-based treatments because it is built upon CBT and goes further than where they stop, especially for addiction patients.
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT) is a type of psychotherapy which includes cognitive behavior therapy techniques, mindfulness practice, and other stress reduction practices with the aim to treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and others.
MBCT has been developed by integrating Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy to create a therapy that’s more effective than each individual therapy.
There are several techniques and various combinations of techniques that can be used in MBCT. Here are a few that we have found effective:
| AWARENESS OF PRESENT MOMENT Rather than letting our stressful thoughts taking over, this practice brings our attention back to what is happening in our immediate surroundings | BODY SCAN EXERCISE This is a practice of bringing attention to the different areas of our body, from head to toe, with an aim to divert stressful thoughts and replace them with body awareness |
| MEDITATION Guided or self-directed form of silent sitting while observing inner thoughts, sensations and emotions without being self-critical or judgmental | YOGA AND TAI CHI Yoga and other mindful practices such as Tai Chi allow us to stretch our bodies in certain postures while bringing awareness to our inner body and mind |
| DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES Focusing on our breath has been found to be a powerful practice for managing stressful thoughts. In addition, there are several deep breathing exercises that can enhance inner wellbeing. | VISUALIZATION EXERCISES In addition to mindfulness meditation, visualization techniques are sometimes used to provide future goals to envision so we can move toward a life we want to create |
Because mindfulness practices focus on bringing our awareness to our inner mental space, these techniques can help addiction patients become aware of their cravings, so that they can pay attention to the thoughts, triggers, emotions and behaviors behind their cravings. Where MBCT goes further is by helping addiction patients to reframe their thought patterns and replace using drugs and alcohol with healthier coping strategies.
MBCT techniques allow addiction patients to use mindfulness practices and cognitive methods to disrupt the patterns of how stress triggers, depressive thoughts, mood swings and other unhealthy behaviors act on their body and mind. MBCT also provides tools to not only become aware of, and disrupt these negative patterns, but also techniques to overcome these behaviors so that they will know how to cope when cravings occur.
Due to the powerful combination of mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy, we have found that relapse rate can decrease in our addiction patients.
MBCT has been shown to be effective in treating dual diagnosis cases including addiction and other mental health disorders. Some of its treatment areas include:
Because of the variety of benefits offered by MBCT, it has been a powerful treatment aid at California Prime. If you’d like to learn more about our recovery process, please reach out: 866-208-2390
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