How does Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) work?

My primary approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Often times it ends up being a combination of those as not one approach works for everyone and different challenges respond to different approaches.

I have been licensed since 2006 gaining my clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings with individuals, couples, and families 12 years and up.

CBT is considered to be one of the god-standard treatments for chronic pain, insomnia, and working with people with chronic medical conditions. I am extensively trained in this approach and have been using it with my client's for years. I offer both CBT for chronic pain (CBT-CP), and CBT for insomnia (CBT-I). I also use CBT with clients who have chronic illness or cancer, when it feels appropriate. In addition to CBT, I offer another types of therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (which is similar to CBT, but also more focused on personal values)- I encourage you to message me to lean more about this approach or check out my website.

I focus on helping people with chronic pain and chronic illness to regain control over their lives. Chronic pain and illness can take a major toll on the whole person- mood, relationships, work, sleep- the list goes on and on. When it starts to feel like pain or illness are impacting all parts of your life, it can lead to depression, sadness, worry, and loneliness; talking with a therapist who understands both the emotional and physical parts can help. In addition to my work with chronic pain and chronic illness, I also work with people going through the process of cancer treatment and recovery, as well as people with insomnia. I am a Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist with years of experience helping those with medical conditions AND I myself live with a a chronic illness. My personal connection to this work is what makes me passionate about helping others dealing with pain and illness to live a full, meaningful life even with physical challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach helps you see how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. It teaches you to spot negative thoughts, challenge them, and replace them with healthier ones. With practice, this builds better coping skills, reduces stress, and helps you manage challenges more confidently. It’s practical, goal-oriented, and works well for issues like anxiety and depression.

Driven by a passion for patient care and wellness, I am Esther Louis, your dedicated Nurse Practitioner. With over a decade of experience in critical care and family health, I aim to offer compassionate, thorough, and personalized medical care. My journey has taken me through roles in major hospitals like Palmetto General and the University of Miami, where I've honed my skills in diagnosing, treating, and educating patients. I believe in the power of knowledge and strive to teach my patients about their health, helping them make lifestyle choices that can prevent future issues. My approach includes not just treating illnesses, but also focusing on preventive care and sustainable wellness habits. In my current role, I am responsible for managing complex cases, performing physical exams, and guiding patients through their healthcare decisions with clear communication and empathy. My goal is to ensure every patient feels heard, understood, and cared for. Let's work together on your journey to better health.

CBT is a type of therapy that challenges the way that we are set in how we think and process information. It's especially helpful when dealing with anxiety, depression and stress and challenging the negative loop that our thought processes can get "stuck" in.

I have a degree in Social Work with a focus on family systems, sociology and human sexuality. Throughout my career I have worked with people of various backgrounds and with a variety of needs. I have worked with families and within a school setting with middle and high school students. I am looking forward to working with you. My passion has always been to help others with their emotional and mental health needs. I pride myself in being a great listener and by challenging negative thinking and working together, I anticipate successful outcomes and growth in your life!

A note on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). It is recommended for just about everything, and we have good research that supports that. Some therapists only do CBT. CBT is the ongoing combination of different related therapies that work to identify triggers and create coping skills addressing one’s environment, thoughts, feelings, or actions. Working therapists began using it, academic researchers studied what we were using, so working therapists started using it more, so academic researchers studied more… rinse and repeat… then insurance companies wanted a treatment approach that was consistently effective, short-ish, and quantifiable which really amped up the research dollars and push to use CBT. Is CBT effective? Yes. It is the only game in town? No. Is it the most effective for your concerns, maybe.

I provide therapy for those who love differently. Life isn’t always easy feeling like a round peg person in a square hole world. Whether exploring ethical nonmonogamy in polyamory, swinging, kink, or your own sexual identity, not knowing what to expect can be scary. Experience in the ENM world does not always guarantee smooth sailing either. I can help you with your next steps forward to a vibrant, full, true-to-yourself life. Some people have just been polybombed, the love of their life seeming to say they’re not enough. Others, having taken the leap can’t seem to stop fighting. Feeling isolated, scared, tired, and like they're going to lose everything. Take a moment to imagine your life as it could be in a few months. You are in love, all over again. With your partner, a new partner, yourself, and how you live. Accepted for who you are, allowed to love in a way that feels natural, you are excited in your new life. I work WITH you to offer custom therapeutic approaches as wonderfully powerful and unique as you are. I got into being a therapist watching people I loved and cared about going to amazingly experienced therapists, then spending the entire first session teaching that therapist the basic vocabulary of their lives, or that the way they lived their life differently wasn’t the problem they were having, the anxiety or depression or what have you was. I felt my people, the fun and weird and hurt, needed a native understanding so I got to work.

I often use CBT during therapy.

Lorena is a Licensed Professional Counselor, with over 20 + years of experience in the Mental Health field including Case Management. She graduated from Troy University with a M.S in Counseling and Psychology in 2005. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor through NBCC, with experience working with adolescents, young adults, and the geriatric population. Her experience includes depression, anxiety, Dementia and chronic mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorders, other mood disorders. Lorena also has experience working with adults and families. Her theoretical orientation is primarily based in Client Centered therapy, which allows clients to gain greater trust within him or herself, form healthier relationships, increase self esteem, and express their personal feelings and opinions. She also enjoys incorporating Gestalt therapy which is a client- centered approach to psychotherapy. Lorena has real life experiences of trauma and sudden life changes in addition to being a natural “people person” which helps her to develop rapport quickly with clients which is beneficial for the counselor/client relationships. Lorena wants her clients to know she is here to ensure they will grow and gain insight and enlightenment throughout their counseling process. Outside of the office, Lorena loves to spend time with her son and daughter, family, and friends. She enjoys reading, shopping online, watching law shows and suspense thriller movies.

I utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist individuals to follow structured sessions. The focus exploring the relationship between thoughts, feelings, emotions and actions.

Change is often difficult, so my role is to work alongside each person as they navigate through challenges on the way to the life they want for themselves and their loved ones. Each has within them the tools necessary to learn and grow toward a brighter future both personally and in relationships, and it is my privilege to help discover unknown potential and paths forward.  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on helping you work through the negative spirals your brain goes through. In my research, training, and practice, I have learned ways to adapt this technique to work with numerous different mental health issues. My goal will be to help you learn the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions and then make changes to address the problems you present with.

Are you or a loved one feeling stuck – uncertain about navigating changes in your life, how you see yourself, or how to reconnect with those close to you? When we feel stuck, taking steps forward can feel like a monumental task. We can work together to break down your thoughts and uncertainties, determine the best way forward, and put practical strategies into action, to empower you to create the life you want for yourself. In me, you’ll have a collaborator who will follow your lead and ensure you feel you heard but will be willing to challenge you and continue to motivate you towards achieving your goals. Therapy with me involves weaving together practical skill-building and evidence-based strategies to help you achieve your individualized goals. I work with individuals experiencing difficult life transitions at work, at home, or at school. Through individual, parent, or family sessions, we will untangle your thoughts, improve your self-esteem, and take tangible steps towards sustainable change. Neurodiversity (Autism & ADHD) affirming and LGBTQ+ friendly, I always take a person-centric approach. When you have a better understanding of who you are and what you want, your goals will feel attainable. Everyone has the ability to move past the struggles they’re experiencing, and together we can create solutions and develop skills to build long-term happiness. If you’re ready to learn how we can work together, email or call me for a 15-minute consultation.

Tbh, I am more a fan of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Behavioral Activation, which focuses more on the "actions" part of the thoughts/feelings/actions triangle. For me, intentional actions are easier to change, rather than my thoughts. Having a therapist attempt to re-frame my negative thoughts always just pushed my oppositional buttons, maybe you've felt a similar way.

UPDATE: not currently accepting insurance, out of network only, but lets check your out-0f-network benefits and see whats up So, you're considering therapy? I get it, things are crazy and it feels like we are living in a really bad late-night movie, complete with sad and pathetic villains. I don't have any magic over here, but I do have a place where we can hopefully get you to a place that looks more like where you want to be. I have an eclectic approach, which is a fancy way of saying that I don't rely on any one way of getting to where you want to be. But my starting point is always from a place of your strengths, the things you are already doing well; you are not your symptoms. I trend toward elements from Acceptance and Commitment, Narrative, Positive Psychology, Existentialism, Brief Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered, Behavioral Activation, and Mindfulness. I am progressive in my politics, a non-believer, and I welcome cursing as a means of expression. I believe that humor can get us through a lot of things. I mention this only because I have often had difficulty finding my own therapists that didn't wince when I said fuck or want to steer me in a spiritual direction. I am LGBTQ+ and BIPOC affirming and welcome folks from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven treatment for anxiety and helps with conditions like panic disorder, phobias, and social anxiety. It works by helping you identify and change negative thoughts and how you view yourself and the world. CBT combines two parts: Cognitive Therapy, which focuses on thoughts, and Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on actions. Together, these approaches give you practical tools to better manage and reduce anxiety.

I am on a continual search for understanding what it truly means to be human.​ I believe that each of us carries an inner wisdom that guides us toward growth and authenticity. In a world full of distractions and external pressures, it’s easy to lose touch with that voice. In our work together, I’ll help you reconnect with yourself, uncover what really matters to you, and make choices that reflect your values and needs.