Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most recommended approaches for anxiety. But knowing it has a good reputation doesn’t tell you whether it’ll work for you.
At Artisan Counseling, our counselors use CBT to treat anxiety in Newport News, Suffolk, and via telehealth.
What CBT Is Based On
CBT connects three elements:
Thoughts → Feelings → Behaviors
When you’re anxious, your thinking follows distorted patterns:
- Assuming the worst
- Overestimating danger
- Underestimating your ability to cope
CBT helps you evaluate those thoughts rather than automatically believing them.
What CBT for Anxiety Looks Like in Sessions
Cognitive Restructuring
Examining anxious thoughts and asking: Is this accurate? What’s the evidence?
Behavioral Techniques
Gradual exposure to feared situations. Avoidance keeps anxiety alive. Strategic exposure reduces it.
Practical Skills
- Breathing exercises
- Grounding techniques
- Distress tolerance strategies
These don’t eliminate anxiety. They help you work with it instead of being controlled by it.
Learn more: CBT Therapy at Artisan Counseling
What the Research Says
CBT has the strongest evidence base of almost any therapy approach for anxiety.
Key findings:
- Results hold up long after treatment ends
- Outcomes are comparable to or better than medication alone for many anxiety disorders
- Effective for GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias
The Anxiety & Depression Association of America identifies CBT as the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders.
(Source: https://adaa.org)
Who Benefits Most?
CBT works well if you:
- Like structure
- Want practical tools
- Are willing to practice between sessions
- Have anxiety connected to specific thought patterns
If your anxiety is more diffuse or tied to relational/attachment issues, your counselor may recommend combining CBT with:
How to Know If It’s Working
Signs of progress:
- Anxious thoughts have less grip
- You’re avoiding fewer situations
- You can move through anxiety instead of getting stuck
Most people see meaningful progress within 12–20 sessions.
Talk to a Counselor About CBT
Contact Artisan Counseling to discuss whether CBT is right for your anxiety. You don’t need to know what type of therapy you want before your first session.
