Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helping You Build a Stronger, Healthier Mind in Recovery
Addiction recovery isn’t just about getting sober — it’s about learning how to live differently. Many people who walk through our doors at Liberty House Outpatient Center have spent years caught in a cycle of habits, fears, and emotions that seem impossible to break. That’s where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Oakland County makes a difference.
For residents in Oakland County, Michigan, CBT is one of the most trusted and effective tools in modern addiction treatment. It helps you understand how thoughts and emotions influence behavior —and, more importantly, how to change them.
At Liberty House, our CBT therapists in Oakland County, MI, use this powerful approach to help clients rebuild confidence, manage cravings, and create lasting change that goes far beyond treatment.
Get the Help You Need, When You Need It.
- Day & Evening Treatment Options
- Working Professionals Program
- Supportive Housing Available
- PHP, IOP & OP Programs
- Alumni Programming
- Individual Case Management
Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Michigan
CBT has been applied in various contexts to support addiction treatment for decades, including throughout Michigan in inpatient and outpatient programs, mental health clinics, and hospitals. CBT, which stands for cognitive-behavioral therapy, is an evidence-based psychotherapy that aims to help clients become aware of how their thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions influence their behavior.
In addiction treatment, CBT can be used to help clients recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns that lead to drug use and replace them with more positive, helpful ones. For example, this may include identifying and challenging automatic negative thoughts, such as “I can’t deal with this stress,” or “having one drink won’t hurt me,” and creating new, healthier responses to those thoughts.
CBT is one of the most effective treatment methods for addressing substance use disorders, according to research, and organizations such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognize this. At Liberty House, we use CBT in our outpatient addiction treatment programs because it provides clients with daily tools they can use.
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
At its core, CBT is about awareness and action. It teaches people how to recognize patterns of negative thinking and develop healthier responses to stress, anxiety, and triggers.
During CBT sessions, clients learn how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. When we can identify distorted thoughts (“I’ll never get better,” “no one understands me”), we gain the power to challenge them. Over time, those small changes in thinking lead to big changes in behavior.
 Recognizing inaccurate or exaggerated thought patterns that reinforce addiction or self-destructive behavior.
Learning strategies to handle stress, cravings, and emotional challenges without turning to substances.
Encouraging engagement in positive, goal-oriented activities that support recovery
Addressing underlying trauma is crucial in the process of recovery. EMDR helps in processing and integrating traumatic memories, reducing their power to influence and hinder your healing journey.
Building confidence in handling life’s challenges effectively and realistically.
The beauty of CBT is that it doesn’t just focus on what’s wrong — it helps you build the mental and emotional skills needed for long-term success.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Medication-Assisted Therapy
EMDR & Trauma-Informed
Family Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Therapies
The Benefits of CBT Counseling in Oakland County, MI
Many clients describe CBT as a turning point in their recovery. While medications and detox can treat the physical side of addiction, CBT addresses the emotional and mental side — the thoughts that keep people stuck in unhealthy cycles.
Some of the main benefits include:
- Reduced cravings and relapse risk – By understanding the triggers that lead to use, clients are better equipped to avoid or manage them.
- Improved emotional regulation – CBT helps people handle anxiety, guilt, and depression in healthier ways.
- Better relationships – As communication and coping improve, clients often see healing in their relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.
- Increased self-confidence – CBT helps people see that change is possible. When thoughts begin to shift, self-belief grows naturally.
- Lasting skills for daily life – The techniques learned in CBT can be applied far beyond treatment — in work, parenting, and personal growth.
At Liberty House Outpatient Center, our licensed therapists help clients apply these benefits step by step, at a pace that feels achievable and supportive.
Substance Abuse Struggles CBT Can Help With
At our CBT programs in Oakland County, MI, therapy is commonly used to address:
- Alcohol use disorder – Helping clients understand and replace the beliefs that drive drinking behavior.
- Opioid addiction – Teaching coping strategies for cravings and emotional pain during recovery.
- Stimulant addiction (cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants) – Supporting behavior change and managing impulsivity.
- Marijuana use disorder – Helping clients gain control over habitual use and improve motivation.
- Co-occurring disorders – Treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD alongside addiction.
We Work With Most Major Insurance
Therapy should never be out of reach because of financial concerns. At Liberty House, we work hard to make care accessible to everyone who needs it.
Most PPO insurance plans cover Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Oakland County, MI, as it’s considered an evidence-based form of mental health and addiction treatment. Coverage can vary by provider and policy, but our admissions team will help you verify your benefits before you begin.
Here’s what we can help you with:
- Verifying your insurance coverage for therapy andoutpatient services.
- Explaining any copays, deductibles, or session limits.
- Exploring alternative payment options if needed.
Â
If you’re unsure about your coverage, you can call our admissions specialists for a confidential insurance verification. We’ll take care of the details so you can focus on your recovery.
CBT in Oakland County, MI
If you’ve never been in therapy before, it’s normal to wonder what it’s like. At Liberty House, our goal is to make every session safe, welcoming, and collaborative.
When you begin CBT therapy near you at our Oakland County center, here’s what you can typically expect:
Your therapist will spend time getting to know you — your history, current challenges, and what you want from treatment. There’s no judgment, just conversation. Together, you’ll identify specific goals to work toward.
As therapy progresses, you’ll start identifying negative or automatic thoughts that feed addictive behavior. These might be feelings of hopelessness, fear of failure, or guilt. Once you see those patterns clearly, you can begin to challenge them.
Â
You’ll work on real-world strategies to manage cravings, stress, and difficult emotions. This might include journaling, mindfulness exercises, or using specific “thought-stopping” techniques when a craving hits.
Each week, your therapist may give you small assignments or reflections to try outside of sessions. These “homework” pieces are a chance to practice your new skills in daily life.
Over time, you’ll notice that your reactions to stress begin to change. Triggers that once led to relapse start to lose power. You’ll learn to pause, think differently, and make healthier choices — even when life gets challenging.
Experience the Benefits of CBT Treatment Today
If addiction or mental health struggles have left you feeling trapped, it’s time to reach out for help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you reclaim control, rebuild confidence, and move toward a better future.
At Liberty House Outpatient Center in Oakland County, Michigan, our compassionate team of licensed CBT therapists is ready to walk this path with you. Whether you’re searching for CBT therapy near you, looking to start a structured outpatient program, or simply need to talk to someone who understands — we’re here.
Call Liberty House Outpatient Center today to learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Oakland County, MI, verify your insurance, or schedule a confidential consultation. Change can start with a single conversation — and that call could be yours.
Â