At Layers Counseling Specialists, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a foundation for helping individuals manage a range of mental health challenges. CBT is an evidence-based, highly effective approach that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. By addressing the way individuals think, feel, and behave, CBT can bring about long-lasting improvements in mental health and overall well-being.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

CBT is a goal-oriented form of therapy that helps individuals recognize how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By changing unhelpful thinking patterns, clients can develop healthier responses to stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. CBT is highly structured, making it an ideal approach for treating a wide range of conditions.

Who Can Benefit from CBT?

CBT is a versatile therapy that is effective in treating many mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety Disorders: CBT helps individuals with anxiety disorders including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and panic disorder understand the thought patterns that fuel their anxiety and teaches coping strategies to manage anxious thoughts.

• Depression: Clients learn to challenge negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression and develop healthier, more adaptive thoughts.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): CBT, specifically a modality called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is highly effective in reducing compulsions and managing intrusive thoughts.

• Trauma and PTSD: CBT helps trauma survivors reframe distressing thoughts and reduce avoidance behaviors related to traumatic experiences.

• Eating Disorders: CBT supports individuals in addressing negative self-perceptions and behaviors surrounding food and body image.

Our Tailored Approach: Incorporating CBT-Derived Therapies

While CBT serves as the foundation of our therapeutic approach, we also integrate other CBT-derived therapies to create tailored treatment plans based on each client’s specific needs. These include:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Particularly effective for OCD, ERP involves gradually exposing clients to their fears and teaching them to resist the urge to perform compulsive behaviors.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT combines mindfulness with behavioral strategies to help clients accept difficult emotions and thoughts while focusing on living in alignment with their values.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): We incorporate DBT skills, such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, to help clients manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal effectiveness.

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is specifically designed to help children, adolescents, and their families address the impact of trauma, providing them with the skills to process and heal from traumatic experiences.

By incorporating these evidence-based therapies into our treatment, we create a comprehensive, tailored approach that meets each client’s unique mental health needs.

What to Expect from CBT Therapy

CBT at Layers Counseling Specialists is structured, goal-oriented, and collaborative. Here’s what clients can expect:

• Identifying Negative Thought Patterns: Clients work with their therapist to identify unhelpful thoughts that contribute to emotional distress or problematic behaviors.

• Developing Healthier Thought Patterns: Therapists guide clients in challenging these thoughts and replacing them with more balanced, adaptive ways of thinking.

• Action-Oriented Goals: CBT emphasizes taking action, helping clients make concrete changes in their daily lives that support their mental health.

Why Choose CBT?

• Evidence-Based Practice: CBT is one of the most researched and proven therapies for treating a wide range of mental health conditions.

• Tailored Treatment Plans: We integrate multiple CBT-derived therapies to ensure a comprehensive and personalized approach.

• Long-Lasting Results: Clients develop skills and strategies they can use throughout their lives to manage thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Ready to Start CBT?

If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and learn how CBT and our tailored, integrative approach can support your journey toward better mental health.