What Is CBT? (And Why Might It Help?)
Let’s break this down simply: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a super practical, no-fluff kind of therapy. It helps you notice the unhelpful thoughts that have been quietly running your life—and gives you tools to shift them.
If you’ve ever spiraled over something small, felt stuck in the same emotional loops, or been way harder on yourself than you’d ever be on anyone else... you’re not broken. Your brain just learned some patterns that aren’t working for you anymore. CBT helps untangle those.
It’s Not What Happened—It’s What You Tell Yourself About What Happened
Here’s the heart of CBT: it’s not just the situation that affects how you feel—it’s what you think about the situation.
Like when someone doesn’t text back and your brain instantly goes, “Did I do something wrong?” or “They must be mad at me.”
CBT gently helps you pause, step back, and say, “Wait... is that actually true?”
That one shift? It can change everything.
What Can CBT Help With?
Honestly, a lot. If you’re stuck in a cycle of overthinking, self-doubt, or overwhelm, CBT might be a great fit. It’s especially helpful with things like:
Anxiety or racing thoughts
Depression or feeling numb/disconnected
Panic attacks
Constant people-pleasing or guilt
OCD tendencies or perfectionism
PTSD or trauma-related triggers
Body image struggles or disordered eating
Sexual shame or intimacy blocks
Chronic pain that’s taken over your life
Substance use you’re quietly worried about
Anger that explodes or simmers under the surface
If you read that list and thought, “Yep, that sounds like me”—you’re not alone, and CBT might help.
What Happens in a CBT Session?
You’re not just venting while someone nods. (Though there’s always space for that too.) CBT is structured and goal-oriented. It’s about getting curious with your thoughts, not judgmental. We’ll work together to spot patterns, test new ways of thinking, and build habits that actually support the life you want.
You might try:
Journaling to catch your “inner critic” in action
Learning how to challenge the beliefs that keep you small
Mindfulness and grounding techniques to soothe your nervous system
Real-world experiments to test out new behaviors
Gentle practices to get you out of your head and into the present
You don’t have to change everything overnight. But little shifts can add up to big relief.
You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again
If you’re tired of feeling anxious, stuck, or like your brain just won’t give you a break—CBT could be the thing that helps you breathe again.
Want to talk more about whether it’s a fit? Reach out for a free consult. No pressure, no jargon. Just a conversation about how I can support you.
You’ve done so much on your own already. Maybe it’s time you didn’t have to.