I offer individual counseling to those 18 years and older. Counseling really creates a unique environment that encourages exploring yourself in a way that you may have never considered. This is an opportunity to change things that are keeping you stuck, no longer serving you, or are stopping you from being the best version of yourself. One popular go-to approach for achieving sustainable change is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a straightforward approach that teaches you to recognize and understand how to transform the way you think so you can change how you feel.

CBT focuses strongly on thought patterns impacting feelings and behaviors. It's a type of therapy that helps you in unraveling the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Once you understand these links, you are then empowered to make positive changes and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.

One of the first skills taught in CBT is identifying your thoughts. Have you ever wanted to hit the mental pause button and just tune in for a second to what’s going on upstairs? It’s possible !!! When you pinpoint those thoughts, you will uncover the patterns and understand how they influence your emotions. We all have those negative thought loops that drag us down. We will tell ourselves things that wouldn’t tell our supervisor bullies, or the driver who cut us off in traffic, or to your less than desirable in-laws. CBT teaches you to challenge these patterns. It's like playing scientist with your thoughts – questioning their accuracy and finding evidence that supports or disproves them. By doing this, you're reshaping your thinking to be more balanced and realistic.

After recognizing and confronting negative thoughts, the next step is to shift your perspective and reframe them in a more positive light. This process helps you see things from a different angle and encourages a healthier mindset. Imagine changing your view from a negative filter to a realistic one, kind of like upgrading your mental glasses. CBT guides you in looking at situations from various viewpoints, without blowing up the negatives out of proportion – it's like seeing the bigger picture without the gloomy exaggerations.

CBT encompasses thoughts, feelings and actions. Ultimately, how you respond and behave stem from your thoughts and emotions. So with CBT, you aren’t just changing the thoughts in your head, you are learning a whole new way to take things head-on. This is an upgrade for you mental toolkit ! Imagine having control over reactivity !!! You can respond thoughtfully.

CBT isn't a one-time fix; it's a process. It’s skills learned over time. Just like hitting the gym to build those muscles, you're giving your brain a mental workout. Think repetition and practice. Every time you spot, challenge, and reshape your thoughts, you’re kicking your skills up a notch. Rinse and repeat.

RECAP: Identify, Challenge, Reframe, Change, Repeat

CBT is popular for several reasons: it's simple, practical, and effective. It’s backed by science. CBT helps you develop valuable skills to manage a variety of different stressors such as: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, communication skills, parenting, adulting, and other challenges. It's like having a toolbox filled with techniques and interventions to handle life’s “gifts”. By understanding the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions, you're taking control of your emotion regulation. Just like learning to ride a bike, CBT is a skill that improves with practice. You're not changing overnight, but over time, you're rewiring your brain for positivity.

So, whether you're facing the usual stressors or looking for a fresh view on life, CBT can walk right alongside you on this journey. It's not a total personality overhaul; it's about giving your navigation skills an upgrade. Equipped with the wisdom and tools of CBT, you're embarking on a road of self-discovery and positive transformation – step by step.

“For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” - Shakespeare