Call : 818-262-3537
Skip to main content

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Los Angeles

INTRO

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the backbone of effective addiction treatment. This powerful, holistic modality directly targets the destructive thought patterns that drive substance use while developing practical skills to manage triggers and cravings.

iRely Recovery’s experienced therapists implement evidence-based CBT techniques, creating a compelling environment for profound change. We uniquely design each session to address your specific challenges. CBT provides the concrete tools and strategies you need to break free from addiction’s grip and build a foundation for sustainable, long-lasting recovery.

What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective and extensively researched approaches for addiction treatment. This structured, goal-oriented therapy identifies and challenges the distorted thinking patterns that fuel substance use while developing healthier behaviors to replace destructive habits. CBT works by creating awareness of the connections between thoughts, emotions, and actions, allowing individuals to recognize their triggers and implement practical coping strategies before relapse occurs. CBT emphasizes current challenges and practical solutions that produce measurable results in the present.

CBT for addiction provides a reliable framework that helps patients both start their recovery and maintain their progress through inevitable challenges. The practical nature of these techniques means clients leave treatment with concrete tools they can apply immediately in real-world situations, creating a connection between therapeutic settings and everyday life.

iRely implements Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for addiction treatment through both individual and group formats. Our skilled therapists guide clients through a systematic process of examining automatic negative thoughts, testing their validity, and replacing them with more accurate and helpful perspectives. This approach builds essential skills, including stress management, emotional regulation, and effective communication that support long-term recovery.

How (and Why) CBT For Addiction Works

When someone struggles with addiction, they develop automatic thoughts that justify continued use despite negative consequences. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy identifies these distortions and challenges their validity through structured exercises and real-world practice. The brain creates powerful associations between specific triggers and substance use, but CBT breaks these connections by implementing alternative responses and rewiring neural pathways. This science-based methodology provides concrete skills rather than abstract concepts, equipping you with practical tools to manage urges, regulate emotions, and make healthier choices.

iRely Recovery delivers specialized Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Los Angeles that targets the unique challenges of substance use disorders. Our experienced therapists implement CBT techniques that address both addiction and common co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression. Sessions focus on developing personalized relapse prevention plans based on each client’s specific triggers and risk factors. We use role-playing exercises to practice coping strategies before clients face challenging situations in the real world. This approach works because it creates immediate, measurable changes in behavior while building skills that continue to strengthen throughout recovery.

The Efficacy of CBT For Addiction

Research consistently demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders. CBT captures a diverse range of behavioral treatments targeting operant learning processes, motivational barriers, and traditional cognitive interventions — all showing strong efficacy in controlled clinical trials.

Our Los Angeles facility combines CBT with other modalities and, when appropriate, pharmacotherapy to produce more robust outcomes. We incorporate the core elements that research identifies as most effective, while addressing the field’s challenges through innovative approaches, including scalable digital supplements and combination strategies that improve treatment response rates. This science-backed methodology provides our clients with the most effective path to recovery, implementing CBT’s proven interventions within a program designed for real-world success beyond the clinical setting.

What to Expect from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Los Angeles

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a pillar of iRely’s unique approach to addiction treatment, implemented across all levels of care. Our experienced therapists customize this evidence-based approach to address your specific challenges while building practical skills for lasting sobriety:

  • Comprehensive assessment: Identification of thought patterns, triggers, and behaviors driving your substance use.
  • Cognitive restructuring: Techniques for challenging and replacing unhelpful thoughts that lead to cravings.
  • Trigger management: Practical strategies for navigating high-risk situations without turning to substances.
  • Coping skill development: Building essential stress management, emotional regulation, and communication abilities.
  • Behavioral activation: Implementation of positive activities that create natural rewards, replacing substance use.
  • Practice assignments: Structured homework that reinforces new skills between therapy sessions.
  • Relapse prevention planning: Development of personalized strategies to maintain recovery long-term.
  • Integrated approach: Consistent CBT techniques across individual, group, and family therapy modalities.

CBT for Addiction at iRely Recovery

Don’t let destructive thought patterns control your relationship with substances. The cycle of addiction thrives on automatic responses that feel impossible to change — but they’re not. iRely Recovery delivers Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy that breaks these patterns and builds something better in their place. Don’t wait for another “rock bottom” moment to make a change. Call us today to schedule your assessment and begin creating the mental toolkit that makes recovery possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about CBT For Substance Abuse in Los Angeles

How does cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles at iRely Recovery differ from other types of therapy for substance use?

iRely’s CBT treatment creates measurable change through practical skill development. Our Southern California facility integrates CBT with complementary modalities like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness practices, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy when appropriate. This comprehensive approach addresses both substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD, creating effective treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.

Who provides CBT at iRely, and what are their qualifications?

Our Cognitive-Behavioral psychotherapy team brings extensive experience from prestigious institutions like UCLA and leading treatment centers throughout California. Each therapist receives ongoing education in evidence-based treatments to ensure they deliver the most current and effective CBT interventions. This exceptional team works collaboratively to develop comprehensive treatment plans that address substance use while building essential coping skills and improving self-esteem through proven cognitive therapy techniques.

Can family members participate in the CBT process during treatment?

Family involvement strengthens the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction treatment at iRely Recovery. Our therapists incorporate CBT principles into sessions that help loved ones understand thought patterns contributing to addiction while improving communication and relationship challenges. These structured family therapy components complement individual CBT work, creating a supportive environment that reinforces recovery. We offer flexible scheduling for in-person participation to ensure family members become valuable allies in the recovery journey, developing their own wellness skills while supporting your treatment progress.

Sources

[1] Boness, C. L., Votaw, V. R., Schwebel, F. J., Moniz-Lewis, D. I. K., McHugh, R. K., & Witkiewitz, K. (2023). An evaluation of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders: A systematic review and application of the society of clinical psychology criteria for empirically supported treatments. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 30(2), 129–142. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10572095/ on May 20, 2025

[2] Ramey, T., & Regier, P. S. (2018). Cognitive impairment in substance use disorders. CNS Spectrums, 24(1), 102–113. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/cognitive-impairment-in-substance-use-disorders/D3853B4938B2CED8A5CC945DFAE01C54 on May 20, 2025

[3] McHugh, R. K., Hearon, B. A., & Otto, M. W. (2010). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33(3), 511–525. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2897895/ on May 20, 2025