5 Things You Need to Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT
Written By Dr. Victoria Chialy Smith
hope+wellness victoria smith top psychologist northern virginia

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may have been a term you’ve heard before when researching therapy options, but what is it and what does it mean? What’s so amazing about it?

  1. CBT has been shown to be effective for a wide range of presenting concerns, including depression and anxiety. It has also been found to contribute to significant improvements in functioning and quality of life.

  2. CBT has been studied extensively in both research and clinical practice. Its efficacy is evidence based and scientifically informed. There is much scientific evidence showing that CBT is effective in producing meaningful change and improvements for clients.

  3. One of the core principles of CBT is that anxiety, depression, and problems with mood are related to unhelpful behaviors and patterns of thoughts. People can thus learn new, healthy ways of thinking and coping to effectively relieve symptoms and improve their lives.

  4. Psychologists and clients work together collaboratively to develop goals and to actively target symptoms. Time is spent examining present-day issues, thoughts, and behaviors.

  5. Skills clients develop through CBT may include learning how to face fears, , problem solving difficult situations, recognizing patterns of unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and ways to calm the mind and body.

psychologist in mclean, tysons corner, merrifield, falls church, arlington and vienna

Victoria Chialy Smith, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist providing individual therapy to children, teens, and adults with stress, anxiety, and depression. Our practice provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness based therapies, and other top, premier evidence-based treatments, and serves the Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington, Alexandria, and the greater Washington DC region. Call, email, or schedule an appointment with us online today. We’re happy to help develop the best treatment for you!

Featured
Navigating Relationship Shifts on Your Healing Journey
Navigating Relationship Shifts on Your Healing Journey

Navigating the relationship changes that accompany your healing journey with compassion—for yourself and for others—is essential.

Creating a Self-Care Toolkit for Mental Wellness in 2025
Creating a Self-Care Toolkit for Mental Wellness in 2025

We put together this toolkit to be there to pick up the slack, and be the supportive friend you can turn to when 2025 starts to be just a little too much to manage on your own. This toolkit isn’t about meeting external expectations or achieving someone else’s version of wellness. It’s about creating the practice of returning to tools and relying on support that honor your unique needs, values, and experiences.

Leaning Into the Season: How to Embrace Rest in Winter
Leaning Into the Season: How to Embrace Rest in Winter

What if winter isn’t a time to push through, but an invitation to slow down? Even if we can’t get there fully, like bears hibernating until spring, can we meet our need for slowness and rest this season halfway? Can we learn to welcome a season of rest? Embracing rest during this season can be a radical act of self-care and healing.

Dealing with Food and Body Image Stress During the Holidays
Dealing with Food and Body Image Stress During the Holidays

Do you find yourself stressing about food and your body during the holidays? You’re not alone. Explore strategies to help you navigate food and body image stress during the holidays.

Thanksgiving Survival Guide
Thanksgiving Survival Guide

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and with that can come a lot of complicated emotions. If you’re feeling anxious about the upcoming holiday season, kicked off by Thanksgiving this week, you’re not alone. To help, we’ve gone through our blog to date and gathered up posts we think will help you get through this season.

7 Tips for Dealing With Travel Anxiety
7 Tips for Dealing With Travel Anxiety

If travel triggers anxiety for you, you’re not alone! There are things you can do to manage travel anxiety and still enjoy your trip. 

6 Practical Ways to Cope with Post-Election Anxiety
6 Practical Ways to Cope with Post-Election Anxiety

Your feelings post-election are valid, including anxiety for what’s to come. These are a few ways to cope with post-election anxiety.

I Want to Start Therapy: What Do I Need to Know?
I Want to Start Therapy: What Do I Need to Know?

Starting therapy can be overwhelming. How do you know therapy will be helpful? How do you find a therapist that’s right for you? What should you prepare for, in your first session? How much of therapy takes place in therapy, and how much work will you have to do outside of your one on one time? These are common questions, and we want to help you feel informed and prepared.

How Therapy Can Help Entrepreneurs Thrive Instead of Survive
How Therapy Can Help Entrepreneurs Thrive Instead of Survive

As an entrepreneur, therapy can make a real difference in your business and personal life, while meeting you right where you are. Here’s how.

What Parents Should Know About Teen Depression: A Compassionate Guide for Supporting Your Teen
What Parents Should Know About Teen Depression: A Compassionate Guide for Supporting Your Teen

It’s a hard place to be, and the first thing to know is that you’re not alone. This is something lots of other parents have to manage, and while it can feel overwhelming, there are things you can do to help. Try to remind yourself that depression is treatable, so your teen won’t have to feel trapped in these feelings forever. 

Dr. Victoria Chialy Smith https://www.hope-wellness.com
Previous

3 Life Changing Poems That You Need to Read
Next

15 Inspirational Mental Health Quotes That Will Help You Feel Less Alone