5 Things You Need to Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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?
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.
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.
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.
Psychologists and clients work together collaboratively to develop goals and to actively target symptoms. Time is spent examining present-day issues, thoughts, and behaviors.
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!
1. What drew you to the field of psychological and neuropsychological assessment?
"I was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, while I was in graduate school, and that experience really shaped my passion for assessment. After my diagnosis, I was able to look back at pieces of my childhood that I had previously viewed through the lens of anxiety or “I just didn't try hard enough” and recognize that, in reality, my brain just worked differently.
That's one of the things I love most about testing. So often, people know that something feels different or that they're struggling, but they don't necessarily have the words to explain why. This can be especially true for high-achieving individuals. They may be doing well academically or professionally, while the difficulties show up elsewhere (relationships, work performance, anxiety, self-esteem, effort to mask, etc).
Receiving a diagnosis can be incredibly validating because it gives someone a framework for understanding their experiences. Instead of wondering, “Am I just not trying hard enough?” or “Is everyone else struggling this much too?”, they can recognize that their brain genuinely processes certain things differently. For many of my adult clients, an evaluation is the first time they feel truly understood.
That's also why I tell people that it's never too late to pursue testing. That feeling of validation and being understood is powerful and invaluable, no matter what age. And for providers, if you suspect that there may be something more going on for a client, referring them for an evaluation can be an incredibly helpful next step in their journey."