Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched treatments for anxiety disorders and consistently shown to reduce symptoms across generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and more, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on understanding how your thoughts and feelings influence your actions, and vice versa, and helps you create healthy habits to improve your overall wellness.

CBT generally requires fewer sessions than other types of therapy. 

Mental health disorders that may improve with CBT include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Phobias
  • PTSD
  • Sleep disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Substance use disorders
  • Bipolar disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sexual disorders
  • and more

Curious about cognitive behavioral therapy in Austin and what it entails? Cognitive behavioral therapy is a proven, evidence-based practice that helps individuals of all ages—including children, adolescents, and adults—develop techniques to better understand, manage, and overcome symptoms of mental illness, trauma, and stress. 

Ready to get started? Find a therapist near you who specializes in CBT. We also offer telehealth and online counseling appointments for cognitive behavioral therapy.

The thoughts on loop don't have to run the show.

What Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Look Like?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is unique from other forms of psychotherapy. CBT is based on the core principles that a) psychological issues can stem from unhelpful ways of thinking, as well as learned patterns of unhelpful behavior, and b) those same psychological issues can then be relieved by addressing those tendencies.

Treatment works by enlisting techniques that can help change thinking and behavioral patterns, such as:

  • Learning to recognize distortions in your thinking that may be creating problems in your life, and then re-evaluating them from different perspectives
  • Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of those around you
  • Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations
  • Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in your abilities
  • Facing your fears, rather than avoiding them
  • Using role playing to prepare for interactions with others that may cause you stress or anxiety
  • Learning to calm your mind and body in times of panic or heightened stress

Unsure if cognitive behavioral therapy is right for you? Contact us today and we’ll work closely with you to discuss if CBT is right for your unique situation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reviews

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Benefits

The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy can be life-changing. Clinical research has shown that CBT is as effective as medication for treating depression and anxiety disorders, and may indeed have longer-lasting effects. Additionally, CBT has been shown to effectively reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance abuse.

No matter what mental health issues you may be facing, a key benefit of CBT is that it teaches you coping skills and strategies that you can continue to use long after treatment has ended. Yet, in initial sessions, cognitive behavioral therapy typically focuses on specific, short-term goals, allowing you to achieve positive results relatively quickly. This makes it an effective tool for both short- and long-term growth.

CBT can help you:

  • Manage symptoms of emotional difficulties
  • Prevent relapse of mental illness symptoms
  • Treat a mental illness when medications aren’t an option
  • Learn how to cope with stress
  • Identify ways to manage emotions
  • Cope with grief or loss
  • Manage chronic physical symptoms

A large unified series of meta-analyses published in JAMA Psychiatry found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was probably effective for major depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders, and possibly effective for psychotic and bipolar disorders. The analysis drew on randomized clinical trials comparing CBT to inactive control conditions in adults, pulling from major databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase.

Simply put, CBT therapy can help you build a new mindset that can carry you through any mental challenge and foster positive, optimistic thought patterns.

Ready to gain control over your life? Choose a CBT therapist below or make an appointment to be placed with one of our cognitive behavioral therapists.

Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Near You!

The therapists below all specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy. Click on one to learn more about them and their experience.

Laura Banks, LCSW
Laura Banks, LCSW-S
Melody Clark, LMSW
Melody Clark, LMSW
Laura Gomez-Horton
Laura Gómez-Horton LCSW-S
Eric-8556_hLc
Eric Robertson, JD, LPC Associate, LCDC-I
Supervised by Lisa Blackwood, LPC-S, LCDC
William Schroeder, LPC, NCC
William Schroeder, LPC, NCC
Scott Allen, PsyD
Scott Allen, PSYD
Alyssa Van Lopik, LCSW
Alyssa Van Lopik, LCSW
Lyn Pierce, LPC
Lyn Pierce, LPC
Ariana Freshour, LPC
Ariana Freshour, LPC
Caitlin Senger, LPC Associate
Caitlin Senger, LPC, PMH-C
Bill Campbell, LPC
Bill Campbell, LPC
AnaSophia-8645-Edit
Ana Sofia Guerra, LPC Associate
Supervised by Rosalie Piedra, LPC-S, RPT-S
Jessica-8512
Jessica Wansart, LCSW-S
Priyanka Nadkarni, LCSW
Priyanka LoSasso, LCSW
Alan Nelson, LPC, SEP
Alan Nelson, LPC
Marie-Michele Atkinson, LMFT
Marie-Michele Atkinson, LMFT
Malka Fenig, LPC, NCC
Malka Fenig, LPC, NCC
Kari Somera, LPC
Kari Somera, LPC
Matt Murphy, LMFT
Matt Murphy, LMFT Associate
Supervised by Daniel Brake, LMFT-S
Sapana Donde, PhD
Sapana Donde, Phd
Diana Schaefer, LCSW
Diana Schaefer, LCSW-S
Evan Sadler, LCSW
Evan Sadler, LCSW
Ron Grace, PsyD
Ron Grace, Psyd
Kellie Caroselli, LPC
Kellie Caroselli, LPC
Kris Downing, LCSW, SEP
Kris Downing, LCSW-S, SEP
Paige-090
Anastasia Rymer, MSSW Intern
Supervised by Laura Banks, LCSW-S
Helen-129
Helen Evans, LCSW
Abi Tesfaye, LPC Associate
Abi Tesfaye, LPC
Loren Lomme, LPC, RPT
Loren Lomme, LPC, RPT
Leila-068
Leila Levinson, LCSW
Dorian Rinehart, LCSW
Dorian Rinehart, LCSW
David Jenkins, LCSW
David Jenkins, LCSW
Celina-6-700x700-1
Celina McDonald, LPC
Denise Jorgensen, LPC
Denise Jorgensen, LPC
Lindsay Schneeberger, LPC Associate
Lindsay Schneeberger, LPC
Michael Paz, PhD, LPC
Michael Paz, PhD, LPC
Kay Suttle-Field, LPC
Kay Suttle-Field, LPC
Jenny-034
Jennifer Shub, PsyD
Kim-055
Kim Fredrick, LPC
Keith Cantrell, LPC Associate
Keith Cantrell, LPC

Not sure which Cognitive Behavioral Therapist to work with? We can help!

FAQs About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is typically viewed as a brief therapy, lasting between five and 20 sessions, although the exact number of sessions needed will depend on your unique situation. Together with your therapist, you can determine how many sessions are appropriate for you, taking into account considerations such as:

  • The type of disorder or situation you’re dealing with
  • The severity of your symptoms
  • The length of time you’ve been experiencing symptoms
  • The pace of your progress in therapy
  • The level of stress you’re currently experiencing
  • The amount of support you receive from family members or other individuals.

While therapy may not provide a definitive “cure” for mental health issues, it can be highly effective in helping you manage and alleviate your symptoms. CBT helps you understand the root causes of your symptoms and equips you with coping mechanisms to navigate them effectively.

One of the goals of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help you learn how to become your own therapist, so that over time and with practice, you have all of the tools you need to manage your own mental health and lead a fulfilling life.

Yes, cognitive behavioral therapy is suitable for children and adolescents. There are no age limits on mental health. CBT can help people of any age take more control over their thought patterns, behavior, and overall well-being.

Our therapists who specialize in working with younger clients understand the unique challenges that may arise for children and adolescents and use age-appropriate therapeutic techniques and strategies to help them manage and overcome their mental health issues. Seeking therapy for your child or adolescent is a proactive step in providing them with the support and tools they need to build resilience, cope with stress, and develop effective strategies to manage their emotions.

While online directories like Psychology Today, Zencare, or the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) can help you filter for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) providers, many people looking for trusted, specialized care in Austin choose Just Mind Counseling.

 

Founded in 2007, we’re a respected private practice with a team of over 50 licensed clinicians, many of whom are specially trained in CBT. Known for our trauma-informed, evidence-based care, our practice treats a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, PTSD, negative thought patterns, and more.

 

Our approach to CBT is structured, skills-based, and personalized, helping clients challenge unhelpful thoughts and build lasting emotional tools in as few as 5 to 20 sessions, depending on need.

 

What sets us apart is our reputation and accessibility:

 

  • Recognized by Austin Fit Magazine and featured in national outlets like The New York Times.
  • Offer in-person and virtual therapy across Texas.
  • Two convenient Austin locations (North and South).
  • Extended hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Easy therapist matching through a simple intake form.
  • Free consultation and scheduling assistance.
  • Out-of-network, but insurance reimbursement support is available!

 

Whether you’re new to therapy or returning for focused support, we provide a seamless, compassionate experience, helping you connect with the right CBT specialist without the hassle of endless searching.

👉 Get started with a CBT therapist at Just Mind Counseling today!

Founded in 2007, we’re a trusted mental health practice in Austin offering expert CBT treatment for individuals facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, and more.

 

Our clinics are home to over 50 licensed mental health professionals, many of whom are specifically trained in evidence-based CBT techniques. Our diverse team includes Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), psychologists, and EMDR-certified clinicians, all practicing within a trauma-informed and LGBTQIA+ affirming framework.


We’ve earned a 4.9-star rating on Google, have been featured in the New York Times and Harvard Business Review, and were named a finalist for Best Counseling Practice in Austin by Austin Fit Magazine—a testament to both our clinical excellence and strong community reputation.

CBT is a cornerstone of the therapeutic services at Just Mind Counseling. Our therapists use structured, goal-oriented methods to help clients:

 

  • Identify and challenge negative or distorted thought patterns.
  • Develop healthier coping mechanisms and emotional regulation strategies.
  • Address issues like trauma, anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, or panic attacks.
  • Work on actionable goals through personalized exercises and between-session “homework”.

 

CBT at Just Mind Counseling is designed to be short- to mid-term (often 5 to 20 sessions), highly effective, and focused on building real-world coping skills that last long after therapy ends.

At Just Mind Counseling, we make starting therapy as easy and stress-free as possible:

 

  • Free matching support: Fill out a brief form, and our team will personally match you with a therapist suited to your needs and goals.
  • Flexible formats: Choose between in-person therapy at one of our two Austin offices (North and South locations) or virtual sessions from anywhere in Texas.
  • Extended hours: Open 7 days a week, with availability from 9 AM – 8 PM, including evenings and weekends.
  • Quick booking: Many of our clients are able to get matched and scheduled within just a few days.
  • Insurance assistance: While we’re an out-of-network provider, we offer documentation to help with reimbursement, and their staff can help walk you through the process.


Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment today!

Ready to gain control over your life? Choose a CBT therapist or make an appointment to be placed with one of our cognitive behavioral therapists.

Where We’re Located

Our Just Mind Counseling has two physical locations in Austin, TX:

If you’re unable to attend sessions in person, we also offer Telehealth and Online Therapy appointments for CBT.

Take back the steering wheel from your thought patterns.

Learn More About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Below are some additional resources on cognitive behavioral therapy that may be helpful to you in your quest to learn more for yourself or those you love.

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