How does Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) work?

CBT is primarily a method of symptom reduction that helps in the shorter term but does very little to address the underlying causes. Integrating emotional works as well as insight building is necessary for more lasting relief. 

Welcome. I’m Dr. Gatta but if we work together please call me David. Good therapy is all about a trusting relationship. Over the course of my 13 year career I have had the privilege of working with a diverse group of people from college age students to senior citizens. My passion is helping people understand who they are, where they would like to go in life and what might be preventing those processes. From this standpoint my treatment philosophy is to address underlying causes rather than just symptoms. Doing so is the only way of achieving lasting substantive change. In order to do that I use a holistic approach, meaning I see each individual as a sum of their total life experiences together with their sociocultural contexts.  I have extensive experience working with family of origin issues, trauma, substance abuse, depression and life transitions (including grief and loss). My background is in clinical psychology where my doctoral dissertation explored dreaming as a theoretical form of thinking (cognition). I also have a background in neuroscience and the humanities . I have taught courses on trauma and recovery, addiction, grief and psychopathology. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented approach that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps clients identify negative or distorted thinking patterns that influence their emotions and actions. Through CBT, clients learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts, reframe them in a more balanced way, and develop healthier coping strategies. This process empowers individuals to manage stress, anxiety, and depression more effectively by breaking the cycle of negative thinking. The goal is to build practical skills that clients can use daily to create lasting, positive changes in their lives.

Hi, I’m Ashley, a licensed therapist intern dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions, work through struggles, and discover practical strategies for personal growth. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, or simply seeking self-improvement, my goal is to empower you on your journey toward healing and resilience. Let’s work together to build a healthier, more balanced you.

CBT is all about looking at the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is a very hands-on therapeutic intervention in that it requires the client and therapist to work together to identify existing cognitive distortions and develop strategies to challenge those thoughts. I think CBT is a very empowering intervention, as it puts the client back in the driver's seat of their own mind.

Hello! I'm Lucy Romo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing remote counseling services to residents of California, Nevada, and Texas. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Long Beach, and hold clinical licenses in CA, NV, and TX. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that aims to help individuals address and manage a variety of emotional and psychological issues. It is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and by changing our thought patterns and behaviors, we can improve our emotional well-being.

I work with adolescents and adults suffering from mood and anxiety disorders, complex trauma, women’s issues, narcissistic abuse, attachment issues, and personality disorders. I also work with couples to improve communication, develop healthy conflict-resolution skills, and create a long-term family vision and mission that restores harmony in everyday life. I believe psychoeducation and a personalized mental health care plan empower clients to make lasting changes quickly. I create a unique treatment plan for each client with specific, measurable goals. I use therapeutic breathwork, CBT, and DBT to help clients quickly reduce symptoms while evaluating emotional and behavioral patterns that may require longer-term therapy. I approach personality disorders, attachment dysfunction, and identity confusion from a developmental and psychodynamic perspective and have experience treating borderline, narcissistic, and schizoid personality disorders. I earned my B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, and after a career as a business executive, returned to school in 2020, earning a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling from Tarleton State University. I am an alumna of the national women’s leadership academy, Leadership America, and was selected in 2015 to be a patient advocate for the National Center for Healthcare Research in Washington, D.C. I am a writer, public speaker, and patient-first healthcare activist, and have published many written works about the dangers of using pharmaceuticals and medical devices cleared (not fully approved) through the FDA's lax 510k marketing process. I enjoy gardening, all forms of creativity and self-expression, love to learn, and believe that where there is humor, there is healing. My husband and I live in Central Texas and enjoy camping with our two dogs and parakeet. We have two adult sons and three granddaughters and believe in the restoration of family relationships as a path to well-being.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is especially helpful for clients looking to resolve their issues and create long-term behavioral change. This approach will give you the tools to identify and examine your thoughts and beliefs, which may be unhelpful or untrue. You will learn to restructure your thoughts and beliefs so that they are both helpful and true, allowing for you to change and improve the way you feel. You will also learn to break down problems into smaller, more achievable parts allowing you to build behavioral momentum and ultimately improve the way you feel.

I have experience working in treatment, community, group, and correctional settings with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Primary clinical approaches include evidence-based therapies focused on generating behavioral results. I have an in-depth understanding of the mental health issues that arise from incarceration and the stressors associated with navigating the post-incarceration process. I specialize in working with complex behavioral issues such as: conduct disorders, addition, sexual behavioral problems, and personality disorders. Other issues I specialize in include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and adolescent, young adult, and transitional issues. The decision to come to therapy can be overwhelming, especially when current approaches are not successful. If you are results-oriented and are willing and open to challenge yourself I encourage you to contact me. I am currently accepting new clients.

The idea behind CBT is that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. So if you change your thought you'll also change the feeling behind it, and then your behaviors will change as a result. I agree with this, except I also recognize that sometimes our feelings don't match up with our thoughts. I utilize CBT, but I also recognize that sometimes it alone is not effective and other treatment modalities are needed in conjunction with CBT.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in outpatient therapy and hands-on parenting training. I am trained in EMDR which is a therapeutic model for addressing and treating trauma. I have completed certification programs in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, the Circle of Security-Parenting program, hypnosis, and I have national certification as an adoption competent therapist with the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.). Working with women who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or relationship issues is my passion. My goal is to help you to feel understood and validated. I do this by listening to you very carefully, and asking questions to help us figure out what the root cause is for your distress. Once we can identify the root of the issue, we can then figure out how to help you move forward and figure out a plan for facing life’s challenges head on. Many people come to me and tell me that they don’t know where to start or how to explain what’s been going on, and that is totally okay, let the therapist worry about all of that. Let’s work together and figure it out.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works by helping individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their mental health issues. Through CBT, clients learn to reframe distorted thinking, develop healthier coping strategies, and practice new behaviors to improve their emotional well-being. It’s a structured, goal-oriented therapy that can effectively treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD by focusing on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT empowers clients to gain control over their mental health by making positive changes in how they think and respond to challenges.

My name is Temiloluwa Ilesanmi, and I am a caring and dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 7 years of experience in mental health. Based in Stafford and licensed in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland, I am passionate about improving the well-being of my patients. My role involves understanding, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions, as well as educating patients about their options and providing emotional support. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with teams of healthcare professionals to create personalized treatment plans. At Grace Health Services, I offer assessments, prescribe medications, and provide ongoing care and support. My experience at Inova Fairfax Hospital also allowed me to help patients manage both their mental and physical health. I am committed to delivering the best possible care and maintain close connections with my patients throughout their treatment. With experience in various healthcare settings, I have honed strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I believe in making healthcare simple and accessible for everyone. Fluent in both English and Yoruba, I am here to support and guide you on your mental health journey. *Specialties •Psychiatry •Mental Health *Conditions treated •Depression •Anxiety •Bipolar disorders •Schizophrenia •PTSD •ADHD •Eating disorders •Addiction •Substance Use •Behavioral Issues •Codependency •Coping Skills •Drug Abuse •Family Conflict •Psychosis •Sleep or Insomnia •Impulse Control Disorders •Mood Disorders •Personality Disorders •Thinking Disorders *Practice description Mindfulvision Psychiatry LLC is a mental health telehealth clinic that provides accessible, compassionate, and personalized psychiatric care to individuals across Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, the clinic offers comprehensive assessments, medication management, and therapy services. Mindfulvision Psychiatry is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where patients feel understood and empowered on their journey to mental wellness, utilizing evidence-based practices to deliver high-quality care tailored to each patient's unique needs. *Treatment philosophy At Mindfulvision Psychiatry LLC, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care to each patient. We approach treatment with empathy and respect, prioritizing active listening to understand each patient's unique experiences and needs. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel valued and empowered in their journey toward mental wellness. We are committed to evidence-based practices, integrating the latest research with personalized treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcomes. The values we hold most dear are respect, integrity, and collaboration, as we believe they are essential in building trust and fostering meaningful therapeutic relationships. *Treatment approach •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) •Culturally Sensitive •Person-Focused •Emotionally Focused •Humanistic •Mindfulness-Based(MBCT) •Trauma-Focused

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It works by challenging distorted thinking and replacing it with more balanced thoughts, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other issues. CBT improves coping skills, enhances self-awareness, and promotes lasting changes in mental health and well-being.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Florida, I specialize in treating insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD. My personalized approach addresses issues related to focus, stress, sleep, and persistent sadness or worry. I collaborate closely with clients, using compassionate dialogue and evidence-based interventions to create holistic treatment plans. If you’re experiencing constant worrying, hopelessness, fatigue, or anxiety, I’m here to assist you. *Specialties •Mental Health *Conditions treated •Anxiety •ADHD •Depression •OCD •Insomnia •Bipolar disorder •Sadness •Grief •PTSD •Trauma •Chronic Illness •Coping Skills •Eating Disorders •Geriatric and Seniors •Mood Disorders •Obesity •Sleep or Insomnia •Stress •Weight Loss *Treatment philosophy I believe that each individual is distinct and warrants personalized treatment. I aim to assist patients in recognizing their strengths, confronting their challenges, and enabling them to make well-informed choices about their life's path. My objective extends beyond prescribing medication; I strive to help patients comprehend their physical and mental states, thereby crafting uniquely effective strategies for them. I advocate for a comprehensive approach to mental health, acknowledging the significance of addressing the entire individual and the intricate relationship between physical health, emotional wellness, and their surrounding environment. I encourage patients to engage actively in their path to recovery, employing evidence-based methods customized to their individual requirements. *Treatment approach •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) •Person-Focused •Culturally Sensitive •Emotionally Focused

CBT is a great modality and has helped millions of people reach their goals. I use basic CBT to help clients start to recognize their thought patterns and choose how to reframe them for the better. It’s great for problem solving. If someone is dealing with deep rooted issues, CBT isn’t the best tool. So there are times when I choose other ways to help. But overall, CBT is an excellent resource and I’m happy to use it with clients who want to change their mindsets.

Stacy spent 17 years working with internationally competitive athletes before choosing to focus on mental health. She is trained complex trauma and evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety such as EMDR, ACT, and CBT. Stacy has experience working with veterans, athletes and other high performers. Develop your own true grit and discover what you can really do today!