Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also commonly known as CBT is a form of psychotherapy aimed at understanding and dealing with a patient’s beliefs so as to change the way they think and how they react to the things happening around them. CBT treatment is based on the concept that our thoughts (cognition), feelings (emotions) and actions (behavior) are all interconnected. How we think influences our feelings and determines how we act.

CBT was originally developed and is commonly used for the treatment of depression and anxiety. It, however, can be applied in the treatment of other physical and mental health problems such as eating disorders and phobias.

The History of CBT

The existence of CBT as we know it today is credited back to the psychiatrist Aaron Beck. In the 1960s while doing his psychoanalysis, Beck observed that his patients seemed to have internal dialogues during the analytical sessions but would not fully disclose to him about the conversations they had in their minds.

Through his research, he discovered that there is an important link between thoughts and feelings. Beck realized that people may not always be aware of their emotion-filled thoughts but could be taught to identify and vocalize them. Aaron Beck realized that the answer to his patients’ understanding and dealing with their problems was in identifying and reporting on their negative emotion-filled thoughts.

CBT treatment application is however not a single therapeutic technique. Rather, CBT is an umbrella term that groups a number of different therapy approaches with common elements. The most prominent approaches include:

• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
• Rational Behavior Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Rational Living Therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• Multimodal Therapy

CBT Sessions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment is a very goal-directed form of talking therapy. It helps patients deal with a specific problem, emphasizes more on current situations and does not delve so much into the past. A full course CBT treatment runs from between 5 to 20 sessions. A typical session with a therapist should take about half an hour to an hour. Here is what you can expect in CBT sessions.

  • Your therapist will work with you to identify the problems you would like to address, then break each of them down into smaller parts and fit them into the categories of either thoughts, emotions or actions.
  • Your therapist will work with you to identify the problems you would like to address, then break each of them down into smaller parts and fit them into the categories of either thoughts, emotions or actions.
  • Next, you will help your therapist determine the effect your problems have on each other as well as on you. This will enable your therapist to identify the unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts and behavior you need to change to allow you to deal with your problems.
  • You and your therapist will develop the changes you need to make and the skills to adopt. Together, create a plan on how to factor in these changes in your daily life then you will be tasked to put them into practice.
  • The subsequent sessions with your therapist will be to discuss your progress, evaluate the impact the changes have made in your life and work on managing your emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

 

Pros of CBT

CBT treatment has the following advantages:

  • Compared to other talking therapies CBT can be completed in a relatively shorter period.
  • Because of its highly structured nature, CBT treatment can be offered in various formats such as self-help books, computer programs, and group sessions.
  • CBT aims to equip patients with practical skills and techniques to be used in everyday life that will help you process and cope with your problems positively, even after completion of treatment.
  • CBT treatment helps patients develop beliefs and attitudes that are flexible and self-empowering towards themselves, others and their environment to assist in overcoming depression and anxiety.

 

Cons of CBT

The success of CBT treatment is highly dependent on the patient’s ability to change their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Thus a high level of commitment is required to get the most out of the process, which not always possible for everyone.

CBT sessions mostly involve the therapist giving the patient tasks to be completed between sessions. This may be time-consuming for some patients and may slow down their progress in the treatment.

CBT Therapists at Gibson Counseling

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida MacDonald, LPC, CMHIMP

Ida's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Ida

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Evaluations Offered: Health Assessment

Insurances Accepted:  Cigna/Evernorth, Tricare, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Optum EAP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Triwest-VA, Sendero, Self pay $110

Accepting New Clients: Yes (Video only)

Expertise: Adults, Couples, Kids (16 year and up)

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT

Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl

Location:  Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), BCBS, Beacon, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO      (Video only)​ Daytime availability only

Expertise: Kids (6 yr and up), Adults and Couples

Eleny Guerrero Pena, LPC, LCDC

Eleny Guerrero Pena, LPC, LCDC

Eleny's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Eleny

Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:    Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers),  Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  Yes (no children)

 Video and In person : Daytime hours only at this time ( 9am-1pm)

Expertise:  Adults , Couples

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

David "Nathan" Evans, LPC

Nathan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Nathan

Location:   In Person Cedar Park and Video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients: Yes-video only

Expertise: Adults and kids over 15 (no couples)

Rhonda Mack, LPC

Rhonda Mack, LPC

Rhonda's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Rhonda

Location: In person Cedar Park and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:    Blue Cross Blue Shield,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Humana, Cigna/Evernorth (no EAP), Aetna (no EAP) , Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:  YES 

(Video and in person)

Expertise:  Adults , Couples and Adolescents ages 14 and up

Sheila Moore-Bunch, LCSW

Sheila Moore-Bunch, LCSW

Sheila's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sheila

Location: In person and virtual in Cedar Park for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:   Aetna,  Cigna, Humana, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Self pay $150  COMING SOON: BCBS

Accepting New Clients:   Yes

Expertise: Adults only, no couples and no kids

 

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney Briggs, LPC-S

Whitney's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Whitney

Location: Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS,  Sendero, Tricare,   United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers) , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   NO   (Video Only)  ADULTS, COUPLES & CHILDREN OVER 12

Expertise: Adults

Sasha Sharp, LPC

Sasha Sharp, LPC

Sasha's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sasha

Location: In person and virtual in Cedar Park for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:   Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   Monday and Friday appointments Virtual only available. All in person days are booked. Please call 512-633-7839 if you can do virtual only Monday and Friday and we will send you a registration link.

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

 

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally Guerra, LPC

Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally

Location: Video Only for Texas Residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna (NO AETNA EAP),  Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self Pay $150

Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD

Accepting New Clients:  YES  (VIDEO ONLY)

Video only  (Children age 12 and up)

Expertise: Kids (5yr and up), Adults and Couples

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT

MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana Sendero, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:   No

Expertise: Kids (6 yrs and older), Adults, Couples

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina Pina, LPC

Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,  United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO

Expertise:Kids (8 yrs and older), Adults and Couples

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC

Rebeca's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Rebeca

Location: In person in Cedar Park or Video for Texas residents

Insurances Accepted:  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Multiplan/PHCS, Humana, Sendero, Triwest, Tricare, Self pay $150

Accepting New Clients:   Yes- but adults only at this time.  All evening and late afternoons are booked.  Morning availability only.

Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.

Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up

Danielle Linders, LPC, LCDC

Danielle Linders, LPC, LCDC

Danielle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Danielle

Location: In person South Round Rock and Video Therapy for residents in Texas

Insurances Accepted: Aetna (NO AETNA EAP), Beacon Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (NO CIGNA EAP), Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, Sendero, Tricare,   United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers)  , Triwest-VA, Self pay $150 

Accepting New Clients:  NO

Expertise: Adults -Individuals only

Hours
Mon By Appointment
Tue By Appointment
Wed By Appointment
Thu By Appointment
Fri By Appointment
Sat By Appointment
Sun Closed
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2201 Double Creek Drive, Unit 1003, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 633-7839
921 West New Hope Drive, Suite 201, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 633-7839