What is CBT Therapy?
- Elizabeth Hackney
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 25
We all carry stories about who we are, what we’re capable of, and how the world sees us. Some of those stories lift us up. Others keep us stuck.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps you notice, question, and reshape the internal narratives that no longer serve you—so you can feel more aligned, confident, and empowered in your life.
🔄 What is CBT Therapy and How CBT Works: Changing Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior
At the core of CBT is a powerful principle:
Your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are deeply connected. When you shift one, you can shift them all.
So when you feel trapped in cycles of anxiety, self-judgment, low mood, or unhelpful habits, CBT gives you a way to pause, recognize what’s happening in your mind and body, and respond with greater awareness and intention.
🧠 What CBT Looks Like in Therapy
Together, we’ll explore how your thought patterns may be shaping your mood, self-talk, or behaviors—often outside of your conscious awareness.
You might notice things like:
Jumping to worst-case scenarios
Getting stuck in black-and-white thinking
A harsh inner critic that never lets up
CBT doesn’t ask you to “just think positive.” Instead, we work to identify unhelpful beliefs with curiosity and compassion—and begin reframing them. Over time, your inner voice becomes more accurate, flexible, and kind.
We also explore small, doable behavioral shifts that bring relief, confidence, and momentum.
⚙️ Why I Use CBT in My Therapy Practice
CBT is one of the most widely researched and respected therapeutic approaches—and for good reason. It’s structured, collaborative, and effective for challenges like:
Anxiety and panic
Depression and low motivation
Trauma recovery
Perfectionism
Low self-esteem and imposter syndrome
I often integrate CBT with other approaches like mindfulness, somatic therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to create a more holistic and individualized experience.
✨ The Deeper Promise of CBT
What I love most about CBT is its ability to empower you with skills you can use every day—not just to survive, but to thrive.
It helps you:
Get curious instead of critical
Become more flexible and less reactive
Reconnect with your values, voice, and agency
Offer kindness to the parts of you that learned to protect you—even if their methods no longer help
You don’t have to believe every thought you think.
CBT helps you separate what’s true from what’s habitual, so you can choose how you respond—instead of staying stuck in old stories.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If this post spoke to you, I'd love to support you in therapy. I'm Elizabeth Hackney, a licensed professional counselor at Cadenza Counseling Colorado offering online telehealth therapy to individuals and couples in the state of Colorado. Reach out today:
