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Gifts for Your Sister You’ll Want to Keep For Yourself

Big sister, little sister, twin sister, soul sister. … They come in all forms to light up our lives. True sisterly love is something you shouldn’t take for granted. A lifetime of bonding, silly arguments, and shared secrets should be celebrated. Life is now, so let your sister know she’s appreciated today. You don’t have to wait until her birthday.

Remember when you were kids, and you used to get some of her stuff for yourself? Well, you might be tempted to do just that with these gift ideas.

Matching sister bracelets

Sisters are known for their inseparable love. Even if you’re oceans away from each other, you’re always thinking about her, and she’s always thinking about you. And what better way to let her know that than getting matching sister bracelets for both of you? 

These bracelets can be customized in color, message, and you can choose between gold, silver, or rose gold. You can even have the simplest message such as “Always Sisters” written in Morse code. With so many beautiful options to make her happy, she won’t even want to argue about who gets to keep which bracelet.

Customized canvas prints

A picture of the two of you is always a good idea. Whether it’s a selfie or a portrait, it reminds you of the good times when you were together. But how about sprucing things up a little bit?

Memories should be kept in sight, and canvas prints are an affordable and sophisticated way to decorate your sister’s place with special moments. Don’t settle for the ordinary. You can customize your own prints with collages, wall displays, pop art canvases, and more. It’s easy and fun — simply upload any picture of the two of you from your computer or social media, select your preferred size, and voilà!

Aroma candles

Scented candles do more than just perfume the air around you. Truth is, they can be beneficial when made with essential oils, thanks to aromatherapeutic properties. 

Aroma candles are a thoughtful gift if your sister suffers from anxiety, insomnia, or chronic stress. Aromatherapy calms us down by letting a stressed out sense of smell breathe in a pleasant scent, like that of chamomile or lavender. On top of that, aroma candles improve sleep quality. This gift will make her dream about what an amazing sister you are.

Assorted chocolate gift boxes

Who doesn’t just love a good box of chocolates? It’s a delicious classic, and we’re sure your sister will savor every bite. 

White chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate … can’t choose? Get them all. We know how unpredictable and picky sisters can be, so you better not risk it. She might love it so much, she’ll even share it with you.

Mini perfume kits

Some people say buying perfumes is a matter of personal choice, and it is, indeed. That’s why you can’t go wrong with mini perfume kits. 

With a different scent for every mood and occasion, your sister will take her own pick every single day from a set that’ll probably last for months, or less time if she really loves it. If she doesn’t like one or two perfumes, you know what to do. Even if you keep some, she’ll still have a lot of scents to choose from.

Handcrafted journals 

It doesn’t matter if your sister isn’t much of a writer. Introducing her to the world of journaling is one of the best gifts you’ll ever give. 

It’s not just about the journal itself. The act of putting your mind to paper is a powerful mindfulness tool, which exercises creativity and sparks up new ideas and solutions we wouldn’t realize were in us if we didn’t stop for a while and worked with our chains of thought. 

As opposed to the ones we buy at stationery stores, handcrafted journals are unique, and will make her experience much more meaningful. 

You don’t have to say “I love you” to express this feeling towards your sister. These gifts will do the job. Don’t be jealous, she’ll return the favor soon enough.

What are the Benefits of a Viatical Settlement?

Facing terminal illness and your own mortality does not only affect your emotional, physical, and mental states but your financial capacity as well. It is one of the hardest aspects of life when someone becomes terminally ill. A terminal illness, such as cancer, will bore a hole through your pocket for chemotherapy, radiation, other treatments, hospitalization, and medications. Not included in these are your day-to-day expenses. People who have a limited time to live because of their illness can sell their life insurance policy, so they can use the money to settle their affairs before dying. Viatical settlement providers help insurance policyholders to benefit from their plans. They will pay a lump sum to the policy owner that is more than the surrender value but less than the policy’s death benefit. Here are some reasons why terminally ill patients will benefit from such a settlement.

Benefits

Viatical settlements are cases when policy buyers, called viatical providers, pay the insurance policyholder a sum of money that they can use to live comfortably for the remainder of their life. The provider will then assume the premium payments, and in the event of the original policy owner’s death, the insurance company will pay the death benefit to the provider.

  • The lump sum of the settlement is higher than the surrender value. This means that the policyholder will get more money from selling the policy than surrendering it.
  • The policyholder no longer needs to pay for the remaining premium payments. The viatical provider will take over the fees. The policyholder can then use the money used to pay the premiums for other things, such as medicines.
  • The policyholder can use the funds from the settlement to cover the costs of medication and long term care. They can also use it to settle debts, hire a lawyer, or to fulfil their bucket list.
  • There is more money to go around to spend on what matters most.

How much does a viatical settlement cost?

Viatical settlements do not cost the same. Viatical providers base their payments to the policyholder on several factors, including:

  • The face value of the policy. The higher the insured amount, the higher the settlement will be.
  • The life expectancy of the insured. The shorter the life expectancy of the original policyholder, the higher the amount that they will receive.
  • The remaining premium payments. If the premiums are high, the less the money the policyholder will get.

If you or someone in the family is terminally ill, and you are planning to sell your life insurance, you must first consider some things. These are:

  • Who will pay the medical bills and other debts in the event of death?
  • Will the intended beneficiaries no longer need the death benefit?
  • What if the patient recovers? They will become uninsurable, and they will no longer have life insurance.

These are just some of the considerations before deciding that a viatical settlement is the best course of action.

Image: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/07/30/11/03/hallway-867226_960_720.jpg

 

Top Ways Therapy Helps with Social Anxiety

The most common mental disorders in Americans center around anxiety. Each year, variations of anxiety affect 40 million Americans, yet less than half of these patients receive treatment.

One of the most common forms of anxiety disorder is social anxiety. For many, attending therapy on a regular basis can aid in handling triggers in the future and relieve daily stressors. Read on for more information.

What is social anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects more than six percent of Americans, which is nearly 15 million people. While many people may feel a slight rise in nerves at the onset of social interaction, for those with SAD, the response is much more serious. People living with social anxiety disorder may experience difficulty in the following situations:

  • Speaking in large crowds
  • Attending an event in an unfamiliar area
  • Going to a new place or event unaccompanied
  • Initiating or participating in conversations, especially with strangers
  • Maintaining eye contact during a conversation

There is a slew of additional triggers for social anxiety, each of which are unique on a patient-to-patient basis. These occasions spark fear of embarrassment, judgment, and direct attention.

As a result, patients may experience an increased heart rate, lightheadedness, restricted breathing, increased sweating, or stomach irritability. These symptoms are not limited to the moment in which the trigger occurs and often last for an extended period of time.

How can therapy help?

There are various ways to manage SAD symptoms. Many choose to medicate; others seek holistic remedies through meditation or yoga. The most effective long-term treatment for social anxiety disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. While medication is often a quick remedy, it has less long-term effectiveness than regular therapy attendance.

Cognitive behavioral therapy works by identifying the thought processes causing anxiety and forming a plan to alter them. The main concept behind this is the powerful connection between a person’s thoughts and behaviors. Patients typically attend 12 to 16 sessions, once a week, for roughly an hour to an hour and a half.

Each cognitive behavioral therapist will assess the ways in which SAD affects their patients to determine which form of CBT would be the most effective. There are plenty of options when it comes to CBT, including individual sessions, group therapy, at-home practices, and journaling.

Therapists will often introduce roleplay during individual and group therapy. This method allows patients to act out frequent social triggers and alter the scenario. When they face said challenge in the future, they’ll have a history of playing it out in sessions with the proper coping skills to handle it more calmly.

When the therapist feels the patient is ready, they will assign “homework” to implement these coping skills. These assignments might include attending an event in a new space, introducing themselves to new coworkers, or giving a small speech in a public setting.

Another effective form of CBT for social anxiety is known as exposure and response prevention, or ERP. Under the therapist’s supervision, patients are exposed to the triggers that spark social anxiety and taught how to respond in a healthy, relaxed manner. While it may seem like something that can be done without the aid of a therapist, repeated exposure to triggers can cause further damage when improperly monitored.

Professionals encourage their patients to confront their triggers and refuse to engage in them. This eventual lessening of anxiety as a result of continuous exposure and subsequent lack of response is known as habituation.

While each individual case is unique, there are a vast array of therapy techniques for those dealing with social anxiety. While medication and holistic remedies should not be overlooked, therapy is often the best choice for those seeking long-term results.

Learning to track down the source of triggers and practicing ways in which to disengage is the greatest benefit of weekly therapy, and can result in lasting relief from social anxiety.

Top 7 Benefits of Living in a Log Home

For many Americans, the thought of living in Cypress log homes is a dream come true. From the comfort of a roaring fire in the winter months to the outside appearance, log homes just seem cozy and the place to be. 

If you have been considering purchasing a log home but aren’t sure it’s the right choice for you, read on below for a few of the top benefits to help you make a concrete decision. 

They are energy-efficient 

Log cabins are known to be energy-efficient, meaning that your electric bills will be much lower than they are living in a traditional home. Most homeowners are constantly looking for ways to reduce their energy bills, from buying energy-efficient appliances to keeping their air conditioning unit set on 78 degrees during the summer months. A well-built log home breathes, and needs very little heating in the winter and is cooler in the summer than traditional homes are. The energy-efficient build makes it possible for you to keep your heating and air conditioning bills under control. 

Built to last 

What is more durable when it comes to building than lumber? Log homes are durable enough to last you for many, many years to come. From roof replacement cost to the front porch, it should be easier to keep up with and maintain a log home for you and your family. 

Health benefits 

For people who suffer from allergies, especially seasonal allergies associated with humidity, living in a log home can be a life-saver. This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits of living in a log home and certainly will have an impact on the lives of your family. There are also other ways that log cabins benefit your health — you just have to know where to find them. 

Reduces your carbon footprint 

Building and living in a log home massively reduces your carbon footprint on the earth. If you have been looking to do something big to become environmentally friendly, then this is the right move for you. Going green is something that many people talk about doing, but very few actually go big with their choice. Moving your family into a log home is the right way to go green. 

Fast construction time

Since logs for the home are typically pre-manufactured, it takes much less time to build a log home than it does the traditional homes being built today. A log cabin can go up in as little as a week if the conditions are right. 

Problems are easy to find 

When you live in a log home, problems that are hard to spot in traditional homes are easier for you to spot. For example, a termite infiltration is much easier to spot in a log home than it is in a mobile home or a brick house. If you can spot these home issues faster, you will be able to solve them before they become an expensive problem. 

Saves you money in the long run 

While it might be more expensive in the beginning to build your log home and get it up and running, in the end it’s going to save you a ton of money. From being energy-efficient so that you save on your electric bills to saving you on medicine for allergies and from being environmentally friendly to problems being easier to find, you will save quite a bit of money in the long run. 

These are just a few of the benefits of living in a log home that you should know about. Remember, simpler is better and they are gorgeous, as well.

How to Successfully Plan an Intimate Wedding Ceremony

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An increasing number of couples are now looking forward to planning an intimate wedding ceremony. Aside from being uncomplicated and less stressful, it is also easier on the budget. You may choose non-traditional venues like large houses for rent where you can have control over the number of guests that you want to have on your special day. Another option is to look for places where the guests would be comfortable that come with a relaxed atmosphere. Some weddings provide more room for creativity because of a more flexible budget. Here are some fancy and practical ideas for an intimate ceremony.

Keep your guest list tight

Most couples, especially brides, like to experience a lavish and big bridal party. However, inviting many people to your wedding can lose its intimate vibe. Plus, it can also be very costly since you have to adjust your after-party expenses. Sit down with your partner and finalise the list together. Just make sure that all significant family members, as well as close friends and relatives, are included in the list.

Hire a good caterer

One of the benefits of having a small wedding is you get to have control of what food to serve. Since you are planning to limit your guests, then why not splurge a little bit more with the food. If someone from the family is an expert in creating yummy home cooked meals, then you can probably reach out to that person to help you out with food preparation. Another stress-free option is to look for a trusted catering company that is known to serve good food. It is sad to hear guests complain about tasteless food being served at wedding parties. That is not how you want them to remember your special day.

Stock up on good liquor

It is expected that you will be serving alcohol and cocktails during your wedding party. Aside from being part of the tradition, it is a way of making your guests feel relaxed and happy. Since some liquors are expensive, you can recreate your very own with a do-it-yourself bar. Make sure to get someone to serve, and it is essential to stock up on cold beer for the guys and champagne for the ladies.

Make the wedding party enjoyable and interactive

One of the advantages of having a small group of guests for your wedding is that it is easy to encourage everyone to participate. Make sure that your guests have a great time by organising interactive games for everyone to enjoy. You can hire an experienced party host to lead the party and have some of your guests perform an exclusive musical number to keep the party alive.

If you are planning to extend the party until the early hours of the morning, it is a great idea to hire a band that will keep everyone dancing. You can continue to serve coffee, drinks and light snacks to ensure that the guests enjoy the party.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/wedding-bride-asia-beautiful-2784455/

If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please feel free to comment below or email us at LiveSV and share your thoughts!

What You Need to Know When Buying a Watch

A watch is a simple accessory that is enough to complete your look. There is a wide range of options available today more than ever, which is why finding the perfect watch that will suit you can also be overwhelming. To help you select the right choice, here are some of the things to consider when choosing your watch.

Determine your style

Every person has a personal style. No single design will fit all preferences. Ask yourself what your style is. It is an essential factor in determining the right watch for you as it will serve as your guide in the selection. Do you prefer simple designs or you like the quirkier styles? You will be more comfortable, and you will love wearing your watch if it speaks about your personality.

Consider your lifestyle

Aside from your personal style, another thing to consider is your lifestyle. Watches come with various features, and some of them work best for specific lifestyles. For instance, there are diving watches that are ideal for scuba divers or those who love to be in the water, as they are waterproof up to a certain depth. Other watches are designed for fitness enthusiasts, while others are for car racers. There are also dress and fashion watches that will work well with those with a less active lifestyle and those who value aesthetics more.

Set a budget

Watches vary in price, and they can range from a few hundred to thousands of pounds. If you are on a budget, there are inexpensive options which are decent quality watches, although they may not be as durable, and they may not offer as many features as the pricier ones. Of course, more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Again, the best choice is one that meets your needs and preferences, as well as one that falls within your budget.

Choose the watch type

There are different types of watches to choose from. A digital watch will show you the time digitally including the hour, minute, and second. An analogue watch also indicates the hour and minute, and on some, the second, but it has a 12-hour clock face. It’s the same as an automatic watch. Other types of watches are fashion, dress, aviator, and diver watches.

Consider the band material

Watch bands come in different materials. Leather is one of the most popular materials used for watches like Omega. You can even purchase extra Omega leather straps as a replacement in case the original strap wears out, or you want to try a different strap colour. Plastic and rubber are comfortable, and they are also ideal for those with active lifestyles as they are more durable. Other band materials are fabric and stainless steel.

Select the right size

These watches do not just come in varying styles and designs, but different sizes too. They range from small to big. The best choice is the one that will look best on you. A small watch will not complement a big wrist, while a big watch will not suit a small wrist.

It’s also vital that you know how to take good care of your watch to make it last longer. Know its features and limitations and use as intended.

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Throwing a Memorable Party

Life is all about the moments. Studies upon studies have shown what many of us already intuitively know to be true: That experiences and memories are more valuable that material goods or money. That’s why, when we are given the chance to plan a party, we want it to be as fun and as memorable as possible. Whether it’s our child’s birthday party, spouse’s retirement party, or an anniversary bash, you should make your next party a great one.

That’s easier said than done, though. Planning parties can be stressful, and it’s easy to see why event planners are always so stressed out. For us non-professionals and mere mortals, planning a party can end up feeling like something that we just want to get over with. You don’t have to give in. Instead, lower your stress levels and enhance your party with these great party life hacks:

The simple secret of party planning

Ask any great party planner how to lower your stress levels and get a better party, and they’re likely to tell you pretty much the same exact thing: Plan early and start soon. The more time that you take to plan out your party, the more time that you’ll have to nail every detail and, crucially, overcome the unexpected obstacles that are sure to crop up along the way. 

While you’re planning, stay organized. Keep information in one spot, and maintain a spreadsheet or checklist to make sure that you’re not doing conflicting things or repeating the same tasks multiple times. As Murphy’s Law states: whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. Planning will take more time than you think it will, so get moving!

Location, location, location

Perhaps the most important decision about your party is also one of the most basic: Where is it? Your party’s location will change everything about the feel of the event and your priorities as you plan it.

Moving your party to a restaurant, bar, or resort can take a lot of pressure off of you. Experts who run one casino known as a “site for shore eyes” say vacationers and locals alike turn to their facilities for events. Just be sure to contact the establishment you’re thinking of if you are planning to bring a big group. On the other hand, you may decide that your party is best kept in your own home. That’s fine, too. 

Rent it, don’t buy it

There are some things that it makes sense to buy. Your house, for instance: You’ll gain a valuable asset, stop having to pay rent, and so on. If you ski a lot, you should rent skis instead of buying them. You should buy (or lease) your car instead of renting from Hertz every time you go to work. Just use common-sense in as many cases as you can.

What about a dunk tank or photo booth? Unlike your house or your car, these are not valuable assets that you are likely to use every day. It’s pretty unlikely that you are going to use a dunk tank so often that, after the hundreth rental, you’ll be saying, “I wish I’d bought that!”

You can really improve your party with over-the-top games and goodies if you rent big-time party equipment that you’d never choose to buy. Particularly for kids’ parties, these additions can be massive hits say experts who offer photo booth rentals and other party-related rentals on New York’s Long Island.

What makes the perfect party? That’s hard to say, and everyone’s answer will be different. We do know, however, that if you plan early, stay organized, pick a great location, and add great and memorable party games or installations, you’ll be on the right track.

Rainbow Riches Game Guide

Are you really an avid online slot aficionado if you haven’t heard of Rainbow Riches? If you haven’t be sure to go and play it now at Wizard Slots. It is one of online casino’s most iconic titles, and one that has been top of the agenda for many people for a number of years, be that online or on land based machines. You can guess from the title that this online slot, from globally renowned developers Barcrest, has got something to do with the marvellous island of Ireland. But what you may not have banked on is quite how spectacular it really is; let’s take a look.

An Overview of the game

So, as previously mentioned, Rainbow Riches is an online slot that sits squarely in the realm of Irish themed games. You can see this from the moment you start playing, the introduction screen features a rather friendly looking leprechaun, and once you start playing properly you will encounter the reels set against a purple background, also containing a delightful rainbow. And it’s not just the background that reminds of the Emerald Isle, each one of the symbols – aside from the standard playing card numbers – is perfectly suited to the theme. For instance, a leprechaun (of course), his hat, and the Rainbow Riches logo itself are all possible things to encounter whilst spinning those fabled reels.

The great thing about Rainbow Riches is its simplicity, something that is strikingly important in today’s world of outrageously complex and not-at-all intuitive slot games. The leprechaun forms the Wild symbol in this game, whereas his hat is the Scatter. You will really want to keep your eye on the latter, as this will unlock the Pick Me feature that can also subsequently result in the Pots of Luck round. On top of all of this is the gamble feature, where you have the chance to at least double your winnings. Very lucrative indeed.

About the developer of this Rainbow Slot

It takes a truly good developer to create such an iconic game as Rainbow Riches, so there is no wonder it comes from the acclaimed Barcrest. The company has been in operation since 1968, working their way from analogue fruit machines all the way through to current state-of-the-art online slots. In 2006 they were acquired by SG Gaming, but it did not the flow of quality games, just look to some of their other titles:

· Reel ‘Em In Lobster Potty

· Black Magic Fruits

· Money Mad Martians

Another thing to consider is how many popular offshoots have been generated off the back of Rainbow Riches:

· Rainbow Riches: Home Sweet Home

· Rainbow Riches: Pick and Mix

· Rainbow Riches: Reels of Gold

And that’s not even all of them! Testimony to the greatness of this online slot series.

Rainbow Riches – The Verdict

Any keen online slot player will have win potential and ease of use at the top of his list, and Rainbow Riches delivers this in ample quantity. Its theme is also delightful, and the bonus features make for an exhilarating play however you choose to play. Quite simply a marvellous example of online casino entertainment.

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How to Find a Trustworthy CBD Retailer

With the cannabis industry rapidly growing into one of the most profitable on the planet, even the medical community is taking it seriously. In fact, cannabidiol oil or CBD is near the top of the lucrative ladder because of its wide legalization and apparent effectiveness in treating certain conditions. CBD is being used to treat pain, anxiety, endometriosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s, among other chronic conditions. 

Most CBD products do not contain THC (the chemical that gives you a high). Because of this and a recent farm bill that officially allows hemp products, it’s legal in more places and easy to find. But along with profitability, unfortunately, comes sellers who are not exactly above-board in their practices. And because the FDA hasn’t quite developed its criteria for the product, consumers should be careful about where they buy it. Follow these tips on how to discern a trustworthy CBD retailer so you can make sure you’re getting the best product.

Find the source 

US standards say that growers must use the best hemp stalks available. But there are many who cut corners and buy low-quality plants from Russia or China. This practice isn’t necessarily illegal, but it can produce a poor product. In order to get the purest CBD, it’s important to know where the plant came from. And usually, the best way to test a company’s trustworthiness is to ask them. If they are forthcoming with their source, and it comes from either the US or the UK, their product is probably good. But the businesses that won’t give you a straight answer should be avoided. 

Look for reviews

Any CBD retailer that has been around for more than a week probably has a collection of reviews online. You can check their website directly, search for conversations about them on social media, or look for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. But the best place to look is on a website that offers trusted reviews of cbd companies. These types of sites are in business to hold CBD distributors to high standards, and you can benefit from their opinions.

Ask about testing

Third-party testing is an ideal practice for CBD products. This is because each batch can vary, depending on external conditions. And a thorough test will reveal any pollutants and impurities. But not every distributor does this. Only the most reputable CBD distributors have their products tested continually and publish the results for all to see. You will usually find this information on their websites, or you can also ask to see their credentials before you make a purchase. A company that doesn’t use third-party testing may still be reputable. But you can be more confident in the ones that do.

Check for THC

THC levels are important to check no matter where you get your CBD. For one thing, not all 50 states have legalized the substance. But even the ones that have still regulate its use in different ways. For example, some states have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes only, and some for recreational as welll. But even so, it’s important to realize that THC is an intoxicating substance. This means employers can restrict its use for its employees. And there are legal limits for how much you can have in your system while driving. 

THC-free technically means that there is less than 0.3% of the chemical in the product. But there are some vendors who add THC externally to enhance the benefits of their CBD. This doesn’t necessarily make them untrustworthy as long as they disclose it. But it’s a good idea to ask about their legal counsel if they deviate from standard practices. If the vendor has retained good legal counsel, such as that of marijuana specialists McAllister Garfield, they are probably a reputable retailer.

What is CBT and How Does It Work?

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is one of the most widely-used forms of treatment in the world of psychotherapy. While every patient is unique in their individual needs and their reception to treatment, the idea behind CBT is applicable in a vast array of cases.

What is CBT?

This particular method of therapy was created based on the link between a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Psychologists believe that these three elements work in a circular pattern, each of which can be either the cause or the effect of various triggers.

The ideology behind this form of treatment is all about how to lessen the impact of stressors by aiding patients in creating thoughts and behaviors to combat them. For some patients, these sessions can last six to 12 weeks, while for others, it’s a continuous process.

Ultimately, a cognitive behavioral therapist enters each session with the goal of altering the thought patterns and consequential behaviors that cause unhealthy symptoms in their patient.

How does CBT work?

CBT works differently for every patient in terms of duration. The average length of sessions for cognitive behavioral therapy is roughly between an hour to an hour and a half.

This difference in effectiveness is based on the reasoning behind the therapy. For patients with short-term difficulties like situation-based anxiety or insomnia, six to 12 weeks of CBT can be enough to resolve the problem. For others with extensive distress, recurring appointments may be necessary.

As the name states, cognitive behavioral therapy is rooted in the connection between thoughts and behaviors. The process of CBT begins with identifying a patient’s unhealthy thoughts and emotions.

Once these have been established, a plan is set between the therapist and patient to address these initial thoughts or emotions and the ways in which to engage or disengage with them. Over time, the goal is for the patient to recognize an unhealthy thought or emotion and work through it before it has the chance to result in unhealthy behaviors.

What is CBT used for?

There are a variety of reasons why a therapist would choose CBT for their patients. Most commonly treated with CBD are anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, and PTSD.

With each of these disorders, the first step is identifying the unhealthy behavior. For example, patients who live with an anxiety disorder may feel a sense of fear and thoughts of failure when faced with something unfamiliar.

Patients are often encouraged to document these thoughts and emotions in a journal to review with their therapist. Moving forward, the patient is encouraged to take their thoughts and rethink them in a more logical way, separate from the circumstances.

Instead of thinking, “I can’t attend this event, my anxiety is unmanageable”, patients are encouraged to change their thoughts to, “It’s normal to fear an unknown place, but it doesn’t have to be the reason I don’t attend. I’ve gone to new places in the past successfully, I just have to take the first step. I can always leave if I feel unsafe or uneasy”.

Many therapists also practice CBT in their group therapy sessions. In these groups, patients are able to bring forward a common trigger in their lives and act them out with others. In playing the scenarios out, the therapist can provide the patient with multiple variations of the scenario with various outcomes. This provides patients with the ability to think through their situations and come up with a plan to execute them in the healthiest way possible.

While every patient is unique, and their individual needs are evaluated from the first appointment, it’s not uncommon for a therapist to suggest a treatment with CBT. Cognitive behavioral therapy is growing more popular as a way to help patients evaluate their thoughts and emotions in order to produce healthy behaviors.