Are You Suffering From Any of These Symptoms as a Result of Tinnitus? Call Today for a Consultation.
■ Mild to severe anxiety
■ Depression
■ Insomnia
■ Negative thinking
■ Triggered fight or flight
■ Crying spells
■ Hopelessness
■ Ringing in the ears
■ Suicidal thoughts
Are you growing more isolated? Do you feel like life will never be the same? Are you refraining from activities that you enjoy? Are you fearful of losing your job? Do you find that your thoughts tend to be negative?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help. You may be a candidate for Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or TCRT.
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R developed Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of Tinnitus sufferers coming to his private practice.
He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Tinnitus, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Tinnitus.
How are CBT and CRT used in Tinnitus management and treatment? Tinnitus, often described as the persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, can be a relentless companion, affecting not only your hearing but your emotional and psychological well-being. The good news is that there are powerful tools in the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) that can significantly enhance your ability to manage tinnitus. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the transformative potential of these cognitive approaches and how they can empower you to regain control over your tinnitus.
CBT and CRT in Tinnitus Management: The Multifaceted Nature of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. Beyond the auditory disturbance it creates, tinnitus often triggers emotional responses such as anxiety, frustration, and even depression. Additionally, the continuous presence of sound can disrupt your ability to concentrate, relax, or enjoy peace and quiet.
The Cognitive Approach: CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-established therapeutic approach that targets the negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus. It provides a structured framework for individuals to better understand and cope with their condition.
Identifying Negative Thought Patterns
In CBT sessions, the therapist works with you to identify negative thought patterns linked to tinnitus. These patterns often involve catastrophizing, where individuals believe the worst possible outcomes related to their tinnitus, or rumination, where they continually dwell on the sound.
Challenging and Restructuring Thoughts
Once identified, these negative thought patterns are systematically challenged and restructured through CBT techniques. You learn to replace anxious or pessimistic thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones. This process gradually reduces the emotional distress associated with tinnitus, providing a newfound sense of control.
Behavioral Strategies
CBT for tinnitus can also incorporate various behavioral strategies. These may include relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices, and stress-reduction techniques. These holistic approaches not only alleviate tinnitus-related distress but also enhance overall mental well-being.
The Cognitive Approach: CRT
Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) takes a unique cognitive approach by focusing on retraining your brain’s perception of sound. It recognizes that tinnitus often arises from the brain’s response to the condition rather than just the auditory input.
Understanding Auditory Habituation
CRT begins by identifying and understanding auditory habituations—automatic responses of the brain to persistent sounds. For individuals with tinnitus, these habituations can contribute to heightened emotional responses, such as anxiety or frustration.
Retraining Auditory Perception
With the guidance of a CRT specialist, the therapy aims to retrain your brain’s perception of auditory stimuli. This process involves desensitizing your brain to the tinnitus sounds, shifting your response from distress to acceptance.
Customized Treatment Plans
CRT recognizes that each tinnitus experience is unique. Therefore, personalized treatment plans are crafted to address your specific needs and challenges, ensuring that you receive a tailored approach to your journey toward tinnitus management.
Why Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R?
Choosing the right specialist for CBT and CRT is essential to your success in managing tinnitus effectively. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, is a highly experienced tinnitus treatment specialist with over 20 years of experience with tinnitus, Misophonia, and other sound related disorders. With a deep understanding of both cognitive approaches, he is committed to guiding you toward relief and empowerment. Read Dr. Katz’s Bio here.
CBT and CRT in Tinnitus Management: Conclusion
In conclusion, CBT and CRT offer valuable tools for managing the challenges associated with tinnitus. By addressing negative thought patterns, improving coping mechanisms, and retraining the brain to focus on other sounds, these therapies can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals living with tinnitus. While there are different views regarding if tinnitus can be cured, CBT and CRT can empower individuals to better manage their symptoms and regain a sense of control over their lives. If you are struggling with tinnitus, consider exploring these therapeutic approaches as a potential path toward improved well-being.
Don’t let tinnitus continue to overshadow your life. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Retraining Therapy from Stephen Geller Katz, you can find relief, regain control, and live a more peaceful life.
Contact Information
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW 646-213-2321
All sessions are conducted online Dr. Katz speaks 5 languages
A powerful tool to manage tinnitus is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Tinnitus, the perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears, can significantly disrupt daily life. While there’s no cure, effective management strategies exist to mitigate the impact of tinnitus and improve quality of life. Let’s delve deeper into how CBT works and how it can empower you to manage tinnitus.
Demystifying CBT for Tinnitus: Understanding the Core Principles
CBT is a structured therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When applied to tinnitus, CBT targets the negative thought patterns and emotional responses that can worsen the experience. By learning to identify and challenge these unproductive thoughts, individuals can develop healthier coping mechanisms and reduce the overall distress associated with tinnitus.
Breaking Down the CBT Process: A Step-by-Step Look
CBT for tinnitus typically involves a series of sessions with a qualified tinnitus therapist. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
Collaborative Assessment: The therapist works collaboratively with the patient to understand their unique experience with tinnitus. This includes exploring the specific thoughts, emotions, and behaviors triggered by the tinnitus sounds.
Identifying Negative Thought Patterns: Through open discussion and exercises, the therapist helps the patient pinpoint the negative thought patterns that contribute to their distress. These might include thoughts like “I’ll never sleep again because of this ringing,” or “This tinnitus means my life is over.”
Cognitive Restructuring: Once the negative thoughts are identified, the therapist guides the patient in challenging their validity. This involves examining the evidence for and against these thoughts and developing more balanced and realistic perspectives. For example, the therapist might help the patient reframe the thought “I’ll never sleep again” to “This tinnitus might disrupt my sleep initially, but I can learn techniques to manage it and improve sleep quality.”
Developing Coping Skills: CBT equips individuals with practical tools to manage their tinnitus and associated emotions. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
Behavioral Activation: CBT encourages individuals to engage in activities they find enjoyable, even if tinnitus is present. This helps to break the cycle of avoidance and fear around tinnitus and promotes a more fulfilling life.
Exposure Therapy: In some cases, exposure therapy may be used. This involves gradually exposing the patient to tinnitus sounds in a controlled setting. This can help reduce the fear associated with the sounds and make them less intrusive over time.
Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness meditation is often incorporated into CBT for tinnitus. By focusing on the present moment and accepting tinnitus without judgment, individuals can learn to detach from the emotional charge associated with the sounds.
The Power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Benefits You Can Experience
Studies have consistently shown that CBT is a highly effective treatment for tinnitus. Here’s a closer look at the benefits you can experience:
Reduced Distress: By addressing negative thought patterns, CBT can significantly decrease the emotional distress associated with tinnitus. It empowers individuals to manage their reactions and emotions.
Improved Quality of Life: CBT equips individuals with the skills and tools to cope with tinnitus effectively. This can lead to a significant improvement in overall quality of life and well-being.
Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Tinnitus can often contribute to anxiety and depression. CBT can help address these co-occurring conditions by promoting positive thinking patterns and stress management techniques.
Increased Sleep Quality: CBT can help individuals manage sleep disturbances caused by tinnitus. By reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation techniques, CBT can pave the way for better sleep.
Improved Focus and Concentration: Tinnitus can disrupt focus and concentration. CBT can help individuals develop strategies to manage their attention and remain focused on tasks despite the presence of tinnitus.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Tinnitus: Invest in Your Well-being
If you’re struggling with tinnitus, CBT can be a powerful tool for regaining control and improving your quality of life. Consider discussing this approach with your healthcare provider or a qualified therapist specializing in tinnitus management.
Remember, you are not alone in your journey with tinnitus. With the right support and effective strategies like CBT, you can manage your condition and live a fulfilling life.
________________
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
In this guide, we’ll explore the transformative potential of cognitive therapies CBT and CRT in Tinnitus management and how they can empower you to regain control over your mind. Tinnitus, often described as the persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, can be a relentless companion, affecting not only your hearing but your emotional and psychological well-being. The good news is that there are powerful tools in the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) that can significantly enhance your ability to manage tinnitus.
The Multifaceted Nature of Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. Beyond the auditory disturbance it creates, tinnitus often triggers emotional responses such as anxiety, frustration, and even depression. Additionally, the continuous presence of sound can disrupt your ability to concentrate, relax, or enjoy peace and quiet.
CBT and CRT in Tinnitus Management
The Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-established therapeutic approach that targets the negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus. It provides a structured framework for individuals to better understand and cope with their condition.
Identifying Negative Thought Patterns
In CBT sessions, expert therapists like Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, work with you to identify negative thought patterns linked to tinnitus. These patterns often involve catastrophizing, where individuals believe the worst possible outcomes related to their tinnitus, or rumination, where they continually dwell on the sound.
Challenging and Restructuring Thoughts
Once identified, these negative thought patterns are systematically challenged and restructured through CBT techniques. You learn to replace anxious or pessimistic thoughts with more balanced and realistic ones. This process gradually reduces the emotional distress associated with tinnitus, providing a newfound sense of control.
Behavioral Strategies
CBT for tinnitus can also incorporate various behavioral strategies. These may include relaxation exercises, mindfulness practices, and stress-reduction techniques. These holistic approaches not only alleviate tinnitus-related distress but also enhance overall mental well-being.
The Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Retraining Therapy CRT
Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) takes a unique cognitive approach by focusing on retraining your brain’s perception of sound. It recognizes that tinnitus often arises from the brain’s response to the condition rather than just the auditory input.
Understanding Auditory Habituation
CRT begins by identifying and understanding auditory habituations—automatic responses of the brain to persistent sounds. For individuals with tinnitus, these habituations can contribute to heightened emotional responses, such as anxiety or frustration.
Retraining Auditory Perception
With the guidance of a CRT specialist, the therapy aims to retrain your brain’s perception of auditory stimuli. This process involves desensitizing your brain to the tinnitus sounds, shifting your response from distress to acceptance.
Customized Treatment Plans
CRT recognizes that each tinnitus experience is unique. Therefore, personalized treatment plans are crafted to address your specific needs and challenges, ensuring that you receive a tailored approach to your journey toward tinnitus management.
Why Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R?
Choosing the right specialist for CBT and CRT is essential to your success in managing tinnitus effectively. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, is a highly experienced tinnitus treatment specialist who combines expertise with compassion. With a deep understanding of both cognitive approaches, he is committed to guiding you toward relief and empowerment.
CBT and CRT in Tinnitus Management: Contact Us to Unlock Tinnitus Management
If you’re ready to harness the power of cognitive approaches and take control of your tinnitus, contact the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ today. Reach out to Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, at 646-213-2321 to begin your CBT and CRT journey. All sessions are conducted online for accessibility and convenience.
Don’t let tinnitus continue to overshadow your life. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Retraining Therapy from Stephen Geller Katz and the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™, you can find relief, regain control, and embark on a journey toward a more peaceful life.
Contact Information
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
In this article, we’ll delve into the transformative potential of Cognitive Retraining Therapy and how it can guide you toward inner silence in your tinnitus journey. Tinnitus, with its constant, intrusive sounds, can feel like an unending struggle. But what if there was a way to find inner silence, even amidst the persistent noise? Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT), offered by tinnitus treatment specialist Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, opens a pathway to reclaiming your peace of mind.
Understanding the Need for Tinnitus Treatment
Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, affects millions worldwide. While it originates in the auditory system, its impact extends far beyond the physical realm. The emotional and psychological distress caused by tinnitus can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Cognitive Retraining Therapy for Tinnitus: A Unique Approach
Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) stands apart as a distinctive approach to tinnitus treatment. Unlike traditional therapies that solely address the emotional responses to tinnitus, CRT focuses on retraining the brain’s perception of sound. Here’s how it can guide you on a path to inner silence:
Recognizing Auditory Habituations
CRT begins by identifying and understanding auditory habituations, which are automatic responses of the brain to persistent sounds. In the context of tinnitus, these habituations contribute to the perception of noise as a threat, triggering emotional reactions like anxiety and frustration.
Retraining Auditory Perception
With the guidance of a trained specialist like Stephen Geller Katz, CRT aims to retrain your brain’s auditory perception. This process involves desensitizing your brain to the tinnitus sounds, shifting your response from distress to acceptance.
Customized Treatment Plans
CRT recognizes that tinnitus experiences are unique to each individual. A tailored treatment plan is crafted to address your specific needs and challenges, ensuring a personalized approach to your journey toward inner silence.
Why Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R?
Choosing the right specialist for CRT is pivotal to your success in achieving inner silence amidst tinnitus. Stephen Geller Katz, is a tinnitus treatment specialist with a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach. With a deep understanding of CRT’s principles and techniques, he is committed to guiding you on this transformative path.
Unlock Inner Silence: Contact Us Today
If you’re ready to embark on a journey toward inner silence and take control of your tinnitus, reach out to the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™. Contact Stephen Geller Katz to begin your CRT journey. All sessions are conducted online, providing you with the flexibility and convenience you need to access effective tinnitus treatment.
Don’t let tinnitus continue to dominate your life. With Cognitive Retraining Therapy, inner silence is within reach, allowing you to find peace in the midst of the noise.
Contact Information
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
All sessions are conducted online Multiple languages spoken
In this blog post we will share a few stories of tinnitus patients who found relief with cognitive retraining therapy. Tinnitus is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears that can be very distressing for those who experience it. For some, the condition is so severe that it interferes with their daily activities and quality of life. However, there are ways to manage tinnitus and reduce its impact. One of the most effective methods is cognitive retraining therapy, which has helped many patients find relief from their symptoms.
Cognitive retraining therapy is a form of therapy that aims to retrain the brain to ignore the sounds of tinnitus. It involves working with a therapist to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors related to tinnitus and replacing them with positive ones. This type of therapy can be done in person or online and typically takes several weeks or months to complete.
Here are some real stories of tinnitus patients who found relief with cognitive retraining therapy:
Case #1: Sarah
Sarah had been living with tinnitus for over a year when she decided to seek treatment. She had tried various treatments, including medication and sound therapy, but nothing seemed to help. Sarah was skeptical of cognitive retraining therapy at first but decided to give it a try. With the help of her therapist, she learned to shift her focus away from the sound of her tinnitus and focus on positive thoughts and activities. Over time, her tinnitus became less bothersome, and she was able to enjoy her life again.
Case #2: John
John had been living with tinnitus for several years and had grown accustomed to it. However, when his tinnitus suddenly became louder and more persistent, he knew he needed to seek treatment. John was hesitant to try cognitive retraining therapy, but his therapist assured him that it was an effective treatment. With the help of his therapist, John learned to identify the triggers that made his tinnitus worse and how to manage them. He also learned to focus on positive thoughts and activities, which helped him cope with his tinnitus.
Case #3: Maria
Maria had been living with tinnitus for several years and had tried many treatments, including medication, sound therapy, and acupuncture. However, nothing seemed to help her manage her symptoms. Maria was referred to a cognitive retraining therapist by a friend, and she decided to give it a try. With the help of her therapist, Maria learned to change her negative thoughts and behaviors related to tinnitus. Over time, her symptoms improved, and she was able to live her life without being bothered by her tinnitus.
Stories of Tinnitus Patients Who Found Relief with Cognitive Retraining Therapy: Conclusion
In conclusion, cognitive retraining therapy is a powerful tool in the treatment of tinnitus. It can help patients retrain their brain to ignore the sound of tinnitus and focus on positive thoughts and activities. These real stories of tinnitus patients who found relief with cognitive retraining therapy demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment. If you are suffering from tinnitus, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Contact Stephen Geller Katz LCSW at the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ for a consultation and take the first step towards finding relief from your symptoms.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
All sessions are conducted online. Dr. Katz speaks 5 languages.
Can cognitive retraining therapy help relieve tinnitus symptoms? Tinnitus is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears that can be constant or intermittent. While there is no cure for tinnitus, several treatment options can help manage the symptoms. One of the most effective treatments for tinnitus is cognitive retraining therapy. In this blog post, we will discuss how cognitive retraining therapy can help relieve tinnitus symptoms and how Stephen Geller Katz LCSW from the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ can help.
What is Cognitive Retraining Therapy?
Cognitive retraining therapy is a type of therapy that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus. It is based on the idea that changing the way people think and behave can have a significant impact on their tinnitus symptoms.
Cognitive retraining therapy involves several techniques, including:
Mindfulness-based stress reduction: This involves learning how to focus on the present moment and be aware of thoughts and emotions without judgment.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of therapy that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus.
Neurofeedback training: This involves training the brain to produce specific brainwave patterns that can help reduce tinnitus symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition characterized by a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other similar sounds in the ears or head. The symptoms of tinnitus can vary from person to person and can be intermittent or constant. Some individuals may experience a mild or moderate ringing sensation, while others may hear a loud, roaring noise that can be debilitating.
Other symptoms of tinnitus may include hearing loss, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and sensitivity to loud noises. Some people may also experience anxiety, depression, or difficulty concentrating as a result of their tinnitus. Tinnitus can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and can make it challenging to carry out everyday activities. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and explore potential treatment options.
How Can Cognitive Retraining Therapy Help Relieve Tinnitus Symptoms?
Cognitive retraining therapy can help relieve tinnitus symptoms by helping people change the way they think and behave. It can help people manage the emotional and psychological effects of tinnitus, such as anxiety and depression. By learning to focus on the present moment and be aware of thoughts and emotions without judgment, people can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with tinnitus.
Cognitive retraining therapy can also help people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus. By learning to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, people can reduce the impact of tinnitus on their daily lives.
CBT Treatment for Tinnitus Symptoms: Conclusion
Cognitive retraining therapy is a highly effective treatment method for tinnitus. It can help people change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with tinnitus, reduce the impact of tinnitus on daily life, and improve overall quality of life.
Contact Stephen Geller Katz LCSW for Cognitive Retraining Therapy for Tinnitus
If you or a loved one is experiencing tinnitus symptoms, contact Stephen Geller Katz LCSW at the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™. Dr. Katz specializes in cognitive retraining therapy for tinnitus and has helped many people manage their tinnitus symptoms and improve their quality of life. As a bilingual tinnitus treatment specialist who speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, Dr. Katz helps people from diverse backgrounds get the treatment they need.
All sessions are conducted online, and Dr. Katz can work with clients from anywhere in the world. Call 646-213-2321 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how cognitive retraining therapy can help relieve your tinnitus symptoms.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
Have you wondered what cognitive retraining therapy is and if it can effectively treat tinnitus? Managing tinnitus is quite a nuanced process, and experts resort to various approaches depending on the sufferer’s symptoms. Cognitive retraining or cognitive behavioral therapy is among the most effective approach to help people with tinnitus.
Generally speaking, tinnitus does not have a cure so far. Fortunately, there are effective treatments to lower the severity of this condition. Cognitive retraining therapy is among the most effective ways to manage tinnitus related distress.
A Close Look at CGT
This therapy was formed by Dr. Aaron Beck, who realized that inaccurate or distorted beliefs and thoughts were caused by depression and could be treated through cognitive therapy. CRT is based on a model that focuses on the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and offers practical ways to help people.
At its core, cognitive retraining therapy helps solve patients’ problems to improve their sense of well being. It is a major reason why many reputable mental health experts use CRT or CBT to help their patients.
Tinnitus and Cognitive Retraining Therapy
During cognitive retraining therapy sessions, healthcare providers and patients usually work together to spot dysfunctional thoughts and the scenarios they appear in. After that, the provider and patient work to create a formidable, well thought out plan to control their negative reactions. They usually do this by incorporating positive coping techniques that help them shift their attention from tinnitus.
More often than not, cognitive retraining therapy involves around ten to twelve therapy sessions in groups or individually. The goal of each session is to address a particular topic, like a deep dive into what tinnitus is, stress management, sleep hygiene, cognitive restructuring, relaxation, etc. That said, the cognitive retraining process tends to differ for every patient because the therapy is tailored to meet an individual patient’s particular needs.
The theme of utilizing goal oriented techniques to solve problems, responding to negative and dysfunctional thoughts, and modifying negative patterns is the same. Some therapists also implement aspects of other approaches, like mindfulness and acceptance commitment therapy, as these practices complement CRT and CBT.
How Does CRT Help Tinnitus Patients
As most of you know, tinnitus usually stays with people for their entire life. This condition can be quite intrusive and often causes people to think negatively and disrupt their daily lives. Positive thinking isn’t enough to alleviate tinnitus symptoms or ignore them. Instead, it would help if you retrain your mind, which cognitive retraining therapy can help you with.
Our thoughts influence how we behave and feel. For instance, getting late for a meeting makes us frustrated, even though it is very little, we can do about it. Merely stop to take a deep breath and realize that all you can do is help change how you behave for the better. Cognitive retraining therapy works similarly, helping us calm down whenever we hear ringing noises.
Cognitive Retraining Therapy: Final Thoughts
If tinnitus is getting in your way and preventing you from living a high quality life, it would be best to look for help. You must avoid listening to non professional advice from anyone who is not a doctor. You can’t afford to try and fix things on your own without the involvement of a doctor because that could worsen your condition and make it difficult for even the best professionals to treat it.
At the tinnitus cognitive center, Stephen Katz knows how to diagnose and choose the most effective treatments on a case by case basis. So, waste no time booking an appointment with us, and we will go above and beyond to ensure you can live a stress free life.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™ Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 646-213-2321
What are some of the cognitive therapies for tinnitus treatment? In this article, we will explain and briefly analyze what each main type of cognitive therapy means. Read on to understand treatments for tinnitus (and chronic tinnitus) and its rare types.
Overview of Tinnitus
Tinnitus, better known as “auditory phantom hallucination/perception,” is a common problem. It refers to the condition where you hear constant noises and sounds in your ear when there isn’t an actual external sound source. Tinnitus is ringing in the ear, which also accompanies sensations other than ringing, including whooshing, hissing, humming, buzzing, roaring, clicking, etc.
Tinnitus sounds can occur at any time but may sometimes have triggers. These sounds can range in severity, i.e., intensity. From low to high-pitched, these sounds can be either loud or soft. It affects millions of people, while older adults are the most affected people. This is because tinnitus affects ears, auditory nerves, and organs which are, in old age, at a stage of weakening and deterioration. Therefore, old people remain exposed to incurable sound disorder (hearing disorder) tinnitus, unlike many other health problems.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a common name people use to refer to a wide range of behavioral and cognitive therapies. These therapies involve learning, understanding, rethinking, and much more to help cope with tinnitus. What most cognitive therapies share as common characteristics include signifying the importance of the present, setting solid goals, and comprehending how thinking, events, and feelings interplay have on your behavior.
Some theories lay a heavy emphasis on the functions/impact of thinking on human behaviors and feelings. Also, some theories significantly address the effect of environmental factors and conditions. A psychotherapist or any other relevant professional might use a combination of techniques and core process elements to produce a diverse therapy approach.
CBT is itself a therapy that is quite effective on a large number of people. It tends to focus on the connection that lies between your behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Moreover, your emotions, behaviors, and thoughts can influence each other. While there are different techniques that a professional might use, it will highly depend on the type and nature of the issue you are dealing with. For instance, in the treatment of tinnitus, CBT is an umbrella term for many cognitive therapies that help to rethink tinnitus sounds as neutral signals and sounds. Hence, the affected person with effective CBT may notice tinnitus sounds less and tend to be less aware of them. This significantly lowers the impact of this condition on the healthy lifestyle of an individual.
· Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
MBSR is a therapy that signifies the importance of mindfulness. It acts as a non-judgmental and acute awareness of your sensory perceptions, physical sensations, and emotional reactions to them, along with the cognitive processes that occur. Instead of struggling with tinnitus and ignoring it without a goal of achievement, MBSR therapy allows patients to embrace their condition and fully accept it. Only after that are they able to control and regulate their experience with tinnitus. Also addressing anger, apathy, and other negative feelings, a person focuses extensively on tinnitus to better manage it.
· Tinnitus Activities Treatment (TAT)
It focuses largely on tinnitus management. Talking technically about TAT, it explores and comprehends four areas where tinnitus has its effects. These include sleep, concentration, hearing (communication), and thoughts (emotions). Also, it involves sound masking therapies.
· Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM)
PTM is more of an audiology program by the Department of Defense and the VA. It helps in rehabilitation through audio research and focuses on how patients can educate themselves over their condition (tinnitus) through CBT. Further, PTM resources are available on the official websites of the aforementioned departments and associations.
· Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT)
This therapy is a combination regimen to the conventional CBT use. It supplements the techniques and therapies through sound masking and patient habituation. TRT involves directive counseling that helps patients ignore tinnitus while perceiving them as neutral sounds. Additionally, it involves the use of sound masking devices, which further alleviates the effect of tinnitus noises. Sound therapy usually involves a lower-level broadband noise.
ACT aims to educate patients and train them into experiencing their original perceptions, emotions, and thoughts in a directly non-judgmental way. Dealing with negative feelings and controlling such reactions gives patients the confidence to achieve mindfulness of the condition, i.e., tinnitus.
Cognitive Therapies for Tinnitus: Conclusion
At the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™,Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R is an expert offering individualized & specialized care to those with tinnitus.
If you have tinnitus, you should schedule an appointment with Mr. Katz today. Give us a call at 646-213-2321and schedule a convenient online session from anywhere in the world. It is best to seek prompt treatment and consultation even if you have minor tinnitus symptoms or related sound disorders.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
What is CBT and what is cognitive behavioral therapy used for? In the US, as of 2019, over 50 million people suffer from anxiety and related disorders. Research is underway to address how to counter these conditions through medication and therapy. Although the severity of any psychological disorder ranges from low to mild to chronic, there are two common categorizations.
1. Serious Mental Illness
An emotional, behavioral, or mental disorder that leads to disruption in the daily lives of the affected is commonly termed a mental illness. The symptoms are visible in the form of chronic functional impairment or major modification of the life activities of the affected.
2. Any Mental Illness
Any mental illness also entails mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders that can vary in severity. However, they range from mild to no impairment in functionality. Nonetheless, there are chances of the condition’s severity progressing.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is a form of psychotherapy used to treat people with anxiety disorders. Do you or someone in your family have an anxiety disorder? CBT helps change the way you might think, behave, and finally, react in a fearful or anxiety-causing situation (or an object). CBT employs social skill practices that assist in treating disorders similar to social anxiety.
If you want to benefit from a collective experience, you can opt for group CBT sessions, which regularly involve “homework” for participants. Psychotherapists can choose between two CBT methods. They can employ these individually or in co-relation.
Cognitive Therapy
By employing cognitive assessment, cognitive therapy focuses on how an affected person thinks, behaves, and reacts in an anxiety-producing condition. Accordingly, the therapist aims to identify the biases and distortions to guide the change in the patient’s thinking.
Exposure Therapy
Often, in co-relation with cognitive therapy, exposure therapy aims to create systematic confrontation of the stimuli that creates fear and anxiety. Exposure therapy encourages the confrontation of internal fears (thoughts, sensations, etc.). Or, it might be external fears in the form of feared situations, objects, and activities. Altogether, its aim is to recreate a calmer and appropriate response in the face of a fearful situation. That is why it works via accompanying calming imagery in CBT sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): History and Background
CBT’s origin dates back to the 1960s. Psychiatrist Aaron Beck pointed out several causes for emotional problems. He described them as automatic negative thoughts, and so developed cognitive therapy.
In the past, punishment and reinforcement were the norms regarding behavioral therapy. However, currently, CBT stresses the process of feeling and thinking. In fact, CBT pertains to their effect on our behaviors. Subsequently, CBT treats a broad spectrum of psychological disorders and conditions.
Medications
Medication is one element in the arsenal of treatment options for psychological disorders. Although there are some, it is highly inappropriate to assume that they entirely or partially treat social anxiety disorders. Bear in mind that a psychiatrist needs a government permit to prescribe such special medications.
The chief purpose of medication is to alleviate symptoms of anxiety disorder, such as trembling, sweating, nervousness, heart rate fluctuations, tiredness, hyperventilation, and fainting. Medications prominently include antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or beta-blockers.
Primary Goals and Impacts
CBT aims to guide people that while certain situations always lie outside of human intervention, they can control certain aspects. For example, thinking, behavior, reaction, and interpretation are susceptible to change.
Do you get the concept that lies behind CBT? It is that the process of thoughts and feelings affects the behavior of a person. If you excessively imagine or think about crashes and accidents, then wouldn’t you adjust your daily life and activities in accordance to avoid such situations? So, what are the impacts and goals of CBT?
First and foremost, it is an effective treatment option for social anxiety disorders since it learns and implements techniques to understand the process of thoughts and behaviors. This leads to healthier reactions and less-tense situations for people with anxiety disorders. Moreover, it is appropriate for you if you do not require psychiatric prescriptions.
As mentioned earlier, CBT treats a variety of mental and psychological disorders or conditions. Thus, it might target specific or multiple disorders at once to produce short-term positive effects. Some of the disorders and conditions that CBT treats include:
A Key Consideration for Improvement: Self-Monitoring
Your psychotherapist might lay down homework for you to complete in between CBT sessions. But, are you aware of the “diary work”? Don’t worry if you’re not. It’s purely self-monitoring to restrict abnormal and distorting behaviors. For example, patients suffering from eating disorders keep a check of how much they eat. This self-monitoring leads to better treatment sessions and results.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Conclusion
Are you concerned for yourself or someone in your family? Contact the best clinical psychotherapist in NYC to start the diagnosis and treatment of your anxiety disorders today. Dr. Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R at the Tinnitus Cognitive Center™, possesses 30 years of clinical psychotherapy experience.
Give Dr. Katz a call at 646-213-2321 for consultation with one of the top worldwide specialists in the treatment of tinnitus.
What is cognitive retraining Therapy for Tinnitus? 30 million Americans experience hearing loss at some point in their life. Tinnitus is one of the prevailing ailments in the country. The condition causes buzzing, whistling, chirping, ringing, hissing, or other sounds. Tinnitus affects around 20% of the population, according to a recent research.
The noise tinnitus causes can be intermittent or incessant, varying by level of loudness. In severe cases, however, the background noise is low than the one in your ear. Moreover, some people may feel that the sound syncs with their heart, leading to pulsatile tinnitus. The symptoms of tinnitus vary, but most patients usually experience difficulty in hearing.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tinnitus?
As mentioned, tinnitus causes certain sounds and sensations in your ear. The symptoms of the condition may include the following:
Buzzing
Ringing
Hissing
Humming
Clicking
Roaring
Depending on the severity of the condition, the pitch of the sound may vary, from a low hissing to high clicking. Moreover, a person with tinnitus may hear the phantom noise in one or both ears. However, the sound is sometimes too loud that it affects the patients’ level of concentration.
Cognitive Retraining Therapy for Tinnitus
Patients struggling with mild to severe tinnitus can opt for several therapies to treat the condition. The primary objective of all the treatment programs is reducing the discomfort caused by the condition. The patient may eventually help the patient to live a comfortable and content life. Do note that there is no scientifically proven cure for severe cases of tinnitus.
In particular, sensorineural hearing loss leads to a most cases of tinnitus. However, scientists are searching for the definite treatment. That said, there are effective therapies that can help patients to manage their ailment. Not to mention, these treatment options can reduce the intensity, burden, and omnipresence of tinnitus.
Although these therapies do not eliminate the condition, they help address the cognitive and emotional impact. Patients can thus lead a better and more comfortable life.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an increasing popular treatment for tinnitus. The treatment addresses the patients’ reaction to tinnitus. Furthermore, the therapy does not aim to eliminate the auditory perception but reduce the negative response to tinnitus.
How Does the Cognitive Retraining Therapy Work for Tinnitus?
A large number of medical researchers studied cognitive retraining therapy. Many medical professionals recommend this therapy to improve the condition. Implementing these measures can prove helpful for improving your quality of life.
Well, the main concept of cognitive retraining therapy is improving the unrealistic and negative cognitions, i.e. your beliefs and thoughts, which inflict maladaptive behavior.
Correcting these negative and unrealistic cognitions with the therapy may help a person with tinnitus have more realistic and positive thoughts. Cognitive retraining therapy helps improve your neurological function, retraining your brain to reinterpret the messages it receives.
Not to mention, your brain perceives these messages based on your cognitive interpretations of reality. Furthermore, the therapy helps establish the connection between your thoughts and their effect on tinnitus.
The Bottom Line
Now that you have a clear idea of how cognitive retraining works for treating tinnitus, you can proceed with the treatment. If you have been experiencing the intermittent or chronic tinnitus, you need to get proper treatment for the condition. Therefore, schedule your appointment with the best Tinnitus Treatment Specialist in NY before the condition becoming worse.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW Call today for a consultation: 646-213-2321
Tinnitus is uncurable but cognitive retraining therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help. Stephen Geller Katz has 20 years of clinical experience, creating the Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy and the Tinnitus Cognitive Center to combat the growing number of people suffering from this condition.
How does Tinnitus impact emotional health?
Fifty percent of Tinnitus sufferers experience emotional health problems. These issues are as small as frustration and as large as clinical depression. The condition may even lead to phobias related to sound.
The wide variety of problems greatly impact the quality of life. Negative thoughts lead to a vicious cycle which deepens if left unchecked and furthers the symptoms, in turn worsening thoughts.
What is cognitive retraining therapy?
Once damaged, the cilia and nerve in the ear are irreparable. However, this type of therapy works by training the brain to reinterpret objective and subjective feedback that causes symptoms to flare. Over time, you can learn to cope with these issues with this compensatory treatment.
By targeting core beliefs and the intermediate thoughts leading to dangerous reactions, cognitive training therapy allows you to deal with flare-ups. In targeting the intermediate thoughts and core beliefs surrounding Tinnitus, this therapy treats responses to the symptoms.
What are the goals of Tinnitus Cognitive Retraining Therapy?
The long-term effects of allowing a cognitive disorder to deepen are devastating. For people suffering from Tinnitus, this includes a cycle related to depression, anxiety, and the quality of life. Studies linked heightened levels of job anxiety to the condition.
Altering the constant negative thoughts related to this condition reduces related levels of anxiety and depression. The parts of the brain linked to the fight or flight and fear are trained to better cope with Tinnitus symptoms. A series of exercises and strategies aim to allow people to think around the phantom noises and activity related to Tinnitus.
In dealing with the thoughts, beliefs, and reactions to Tinnitus, symptoms may improve. Education, cognitive therapy, relaxation training, and exposure targeting the cycle which worsens flare-ups helps decrease related issues.
Are cognitive retraining therapies proven?
Cognitive treatments are effective in dealing with Tinnitus. The past sixteen years have seen a growing awareness of Tinnitus. The brain activity of sufferers provides the basis for the most promising discoveries. MRI research found that the areas interpreting sound and causing fearful emotions were highly active in people who complain of having the condition’s symptoms.
Cognitive therapy is based on a platform where a situation, the phantom noise related to Tinnitus, is evaluated as a danger and leads to behavioral, emotional, and psychological consequences. Core beliefs such as a fear of losing your job lead to intermediate thoughts and automatic reactions. Studies in the Korean Journal of Audiology and by a wide variety of researchers found that targeting the intermediate thoughts and core beliefs helped alleviate symptoms.
Our clients report making significant gains in dealing with their symptoms. Still, since each person’s case is unique, it is important not to assume that improvements in training exercises lead directly to an increase in quality of life. Aftercare is crucial to this therapy as licensed professionals attempt to transfer your new skills to everyday life settings.
The Tinnitus Cognitive Center deploys a revolutionary cognitive therapy for Tinnitus suffers. Schedule a meeting to find out just what is cognitive retraining therapy.
Reidel, David et al. The influence of tinnitus acceptance on the quality of life and psychological distress in patients with chronic tinnitus. (2015, October 17). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4900501/
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is great for people struggling with unhelpful thought patterns but even more so it can help you to take control of your feelings towards tinnitus. It was initially designed for people dealing with pain, depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Instead of experiencing it as something that is hurting you or will bring you to ruin, you can see it as a part of you. Somedays may be harder than others but all in all, you can conquer this. CBT helps for you to retrain the way you think and experience feelings instead of making you a victim. The goal of CBT is to make you the victor.
It takes time and practice to incorporate CBT into your life without thinking about it, but until then you’ll probably have to remind yourself. A sign that you need to practice CBT is if you start to worry and fret about the future of your hearing abilities or various other worries. Instead of a worrying, focus on better other parts of your life and this too will fall into place. CBT has been proven to improve mental health and self-confidence. There is still a lot of research being done on it but from what we know so far, this is a very helpful form of therapy. It benefits anyone that wishes to partake in it.
All in all, CBT is all about taking power over how you feel and how you handle feelings. If you have a very negative outlook on life, that shapes everything in your life after that point.
CBT helps you to take a step back and look at your thoughts and gauge whether they are valid or appropriate. A lot of time we react to things based on negative perceptions that we have attached to said thing. It is always best to step back and look at the good and bad of every situation and learn how to make your experience more positive.
CBT does not influence the tinnitus itself, but it helps you to react better to it. Instead of freaking out, you can learn to embrace the discomfort with a calm and nonjudgmental mind. It will take time, but it can be accomplished. It is best to clear your mind and take deep breathes when you feel a strong onslaught of emotions. It can be very daunting when the ringing increases or you if you have pulsatile tinnitus it can be very frightening but practicing CBT will help you to think logically in the middle of your pain and discomfort.
Instead of feeling distraught you can turn the feeling into gratefulness. Make peace with where you are in life and you can also focus on all the good that is taking place in your present reality. CBT helps you to embrace your reality and accept that pain and discomfort are a part of life and that’s okay. CBT is an excellent choice for those who fall into a mindset of doom and gloom when their tinnitus gets louder. Just know that you are okay, and things will improve if your mindset improves.
Contact us today at 646-213-2321to schedule an appointment to treat your tinnitus. We can help you on your way to improving your life and mindset.
Tinnitus Cognitive Center™
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R 19 West 34th Street Penthouse Floor New York, NY 10001
How are CBT and CRT used in Tinnitus management and treatment? Tinnitus, often described as the persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, can be a relentless companion, affecting not only your hearing but your emotional and psychological well-being. The good news is that there are powerful tools in the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Retraining Therapy (CRT) that can significantly enhance your ability to manage tinnitus. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the transformative potential of these cognitive approaches and how they can empower you to regain control over your tinnitus.
