What Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is

CBT therapy, short for cognitive behavioral therapy, is one of the most researched forms of psychotherapy in the world. It works on a straightforward idea: thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another, so learning to notice and shift unhelpful patterns in one area changes the whole system. CBT is structured, skills-based, and focused on what is happening in your life right now.

What CBT Therapy Helps With

Cognitive behavioral therapy has strong evidence for anxiety in its many forms, including social anxiety, worry, and panic, as well as low mood and depression, perfectionism, rumination, and stress that has outgrown your usual coping. Many clients come to CBT because a specific pattern keeps repeating: avoiding things that matter, spiraling after small setbacks, or harsh self-talk that never lets up.

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CBT Adapted for Neurodivergent Minds

Classic CBT assumes a neurotypical baseline, and applied rigidly it can misfire for clients with ADHD or autism. CBT for ADHD, for example, has to account for executive function: a thought record no one remembers to fill in is not a useful tool. CBT for clients with autism needs to respect literal thinking, sensory reality, and the difference between a cognitive distortion and an accurate observation about an unaccommodating world. Dr. Bell adapts the structure, the homework, and the pacing so the method serves the mind in front of her, consistent with the practice's neurodivergent affirming approach.

What CBT Sessions Look Like

Sessions are collaborative and goal-directed. You and Dr. Bell agree on what you are working toward, break it into concrete pieces, and build skills session by session: identifying thought patterns, testing them against evidence, experimenting with new behaviors, and reviewing what actually helped. Progress is checked openly and the plan adjusts as you go.

Is CBT the Right Fit?

CBT is a strong match when you want practical tools and a clear structure. Some people prefer a more open-ended or identity-focused space, which is where affirming therapy shines, and skills-first support like executive function coaching may pair with or precede CBT. The free consultation exists to sort exactly this question, honestly.

How to Get Started

Request a free 20-minute phone consultation using the form on this page. Cognitive behavioral therapy is offered in person at the Newport Beach office and by secure telehealth for California residents.