 It's no secret that we all want to change our behavior at some point in time. Whether it's quitting smoking, eating healthier, or getting more exercise, most of us have made (and failed) at resolutions to change our behavior. Why is it so hard to change? And what works when it comes to behavior change? In this blog post, we'll take a look at the science of behavior change and discuss what works and what doesn't.
It turns out that there are a number of factors that contribute to whether or not we're successful at changing our behavior. One of the most important is what psychologists call "self-efficacy." This refers to our belief in our ability to actually carry out the behavior change. If we don't believe we can do it, we're much less likely to be successful. The same goes for when we are trying to encourage someone to make a positive behavior change! If we don't believe they can do it, they are less likely to make the necessary changes. Another important factor is what's called "reinforcement." This refers to whether or not we're getting positive reinforcement for the new behavior (such as compliments from others or a sense of satisfaction) or negative reinforcement (such as avoiding punishment). Studies have shown that positive reinforcement is much more effective in leading to long-term behavior change than negative reinforcement. Finally, another important factor is what's called "habit formation." This refers to how likely we are to stick with the new behavior over time. Studies have shown that it takes most people about 66 days to form a new habit. So if you're trying to change your behavior, don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Keep at it, and eventually it will become second nature. If you're interested in learning more about the science of behavior change, check out the resources below. And if you're looking to make a change in your own life, remember to focus on self-efficacy, positive reinforcement, and habit formation. With a little effort, you can be successful at changing your behavior for good. Resources: -The Psychology of Self-Efficacy by Albert Bandura -Reinforcement Theory by B.F. Skinner -How to Form New Habits by James Clear Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful in understanding the science of behavior change. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. And if you're looking for more resources on this topic, check out the links above or contact us at samplesupports.com!
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Living with trauma is a difficult and painful reality for many. Past experiences, while very influential, do not need to define the future however. Paving your path forward is not always easy to do on your own. If you live with trauma that seems to overpower your life’s course, working with a trauma counselor can make all the difference.
Trauma therapy has been used by many to cope with the harsh realities they might have lived through. Trauma therapists use proven approaches to help individuals process traumatic events that have occurred in their life, as well as their emotional and behavioral responses. This type of therapy helps change lives by providing individuals with strategies to process and handle memories that are directly related to traumatic events. If you have experienced  Why Group Therapy is a Good IdeaGroup therapy can be a little intimidating if you haven’t been a part of a group therapy session before, or if you imagine that “group therapy” just means “sitting in a circle with a bunch of strangers.” The truth is, group therapy is an incredibly rewarding form of therapy.
Check out these four benefits of group therapy with Sample Therapy, and chances are you will feel a little more open about joining a group!  What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy (psychotherapy) based on the idea that our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes cause our feelings and behaviors. CBT focuses on specific problems identified by the client and employs a solution based and goal-oriented approach to reshape these thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.
Readily applicable techniques and concepts are the foundation for the answer to, “what is cognitive behavioral therapy?” and are taught during each session. The therapist shows the client how to achieve results rather than telling him or her what to do. CBT focuses on targeted solutions and requires the client to actively participate in challenging his or her distorted cognitions. Clients are given homework assignments based on specific tasks to help them change their destructive behaviors through repetition and implementation of techniques in their daily life. CBT’s popularity stems from its aim to produce clear, measurable change in thoughts and behaviors. CBT is a short term therapy, with a duration ranging from about 5 to 20 sessions, making it attractive to those who feel they don’t have the time or finances to invest in longer types of therapy. In addition, it is considered one of the most rapid types of therapies in terms of producing results.  The Importance of Processing TraumaIn the National Comorbidity Survey, a research study of 9,282 Americans aged 18 to 54, 60% of men and 51% of women in the United States had experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. With these types of statistics plus highly publicized traumatic stress disorders such as PTSD, it’s no surprise that there has been extensive research and development on techniques revolving around the importance of processing trauma.
 What Happens after Your First DUI Offense?After the initial shock wears off, a DUI conviction leaves you facing a complicated set of instructions for getting your life back. When asking yourself, “what happens for your first DUI offense?” there are a handful of key factors you need to understand. Specifically, you will be facing a mandatory sentence and punishments ordered by the court. You will also need to understand the nature of a DUI charge and the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction.
 Should I Go to Counseling?How working with a professional therapist could benefit your well-beingWe all know the benefits physical exercise has on our health. Our energy is increased, our risk of disease is lessened, and we can even prolong our lives. Society’s positive portrayal of those who are physically fit and in good health has made it acceptable to openly work on and improve our physical fitness. But what about mental fitness? We know that being in good mental shape and possessing qualities like resilience, self confidence, open mindedness, and adaptability are positive traits, yet our society is just now starting to accept that the workouts employed to get there are not something to be ashamed of. If you have ever asked yourself, “should I go to counseling?” the answer is likely yes - there is no good reason to let fear of stigma keep you from working on your mental health just like you would your physical.
 You’ve Been Convicted of a DUI, Now What?DUI Education and DUI Treatment/Therapy - Defined and ExplainedIf you’re one of the 10,000 people who have been arrested for a DUI this year in Colorado, you know the overwhelming feeling that hits when you realize the extent of work now required to wade through the consequences. Dealing with the effects of this conviction on your job, personal life, and well-being can be painful and exhausting. If that is not enough, now you must navigate the court requirements, which could be a combination of DUI education, DUI therapy/treatment, and possibly the instatement of an interlock device in your vehicle. Let us walk you through some of the requirements and how Sample Therapy can help you meet them.
 What is Holiday Depression and How Can I Get Through It?For many people, the holiday season fills them with happiness. The time they get to spend with friends and family, the lights and music, the gift giving and parties give them pleasure and fills them with joy. For many of us though, we feel the opposite about these situations. Experiencing negative emotions about the holiday season are not uncommon at all, and even have a name: holiday depression.
 5 Ways to Help Improve a Child’s Mental HealthGood mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially, and sets the framework for their mental health as adults. Paying attentions to your child’s mental health now by making sure to take all possible measures to promote self confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life will lay the foundation for who they will become as adults.
In a recent survey by the Department of Health in 2016, over a third of young people aged 11-16 had concerns about their mental health, but as many as 61% of respondents did not seek professional help for their mental health concerns. There are many factors that impact a child’s mental health and can be a result of nature or nurture, or a combination of the two. It is important to be able to discern between the two and be proactive in order to promote positive mental health, whether you are a foster care provider or a parent. |
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Private Practice Therapy Services in Downtown Longmont
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620 Kimbark St.
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