How Can CBT Help?

Submitted by Annie Milholland, MS, LISW-S

Working with children and teens in the Marysville office

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (“CBT”) is an evidence-based treatment for several psychological problems. So, how can it help you? 

It challenges you. Your brain is part of your body. Like a muscle, it gains strength from being forced to discover and put into practice new patterns of thought and bio-hacks that calm you when your triggers or “red flags” are activated.  There are skills that your therapist can help you learn and strengthen, such as identifying skewed thought patterns or changing your stress response. 

You will learn tools that you can use the rest of your life. If you’ve ever had an older sibling, you know what it feels like to be taught to do something “the right way” even though your way works just fine. It can be just as difficult to un-learn bad habits as it is to learn something new. At many sessions, you will be given an assignment to work on until your next session, during which you will reflect on how you applied the technique outside the office, and whether or not it worked. 

You will feel heard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy emphasizes connection. This will not be an experience you walk out of wondering if your practitioner was listening. Sessions are often client-led, meaning that you are welcome to bring your baggage in with you. We work with you to carry big feelings, figure out how to accept life changes, tackle decisions, and navigate complicated relationships. 

The therapists at Bridges Counseling of Ohio provide counseling in Marysville and Worthington offices using a variety of approaches including the use of CBT.