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While we don’t have control of the thoughts our brain sends us, we do have power in how we decide to respond to these thoughts (including whether or not we will even believe them. Not everything you think is actually true)! Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach based on the concept that our thoughts (rather than our circumstances) have a direct impact on how we feel. CBT has been shown to be effective for a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

With cognitive behavioral therapy, you will learn to recognize the way your brain tends to take lazy shortcuts (everyone does it!) that can contribute to feelings of sadness, guilt, shame, anxiety, hopelessness, anger, and overwhelm. The technical term for this is cognitive distortions and we all have them! Not only that, they tend to flare up during the stress of life transitions. Fortunately, there are skills and techniques we can use to help keep our brain and thoughts in check so that they don’t lead to emotional distress or keep us from behaving in a way that aligns with our values and goals. Not only do clients who utilize CBT feel better, but they are also much more functional in their day-to-day lives.

As with anything of value, cognitive behavioral therapy requires participation, practice, and commitment. Typically, when CBT is part of the plan of care, you will practice the skills you learn in-between sessions in a structured format that is specifically tailored to the realities and circumstances of your individual needs and resources.