Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Look closely at the predictions and harsh commentary that interrupt school, work or relationships.
When a Thought Becomes a Verdict
An unanswered message can become evidence that you have upset someone. A mistake at work can turn into a prediction about your whole career. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, to examine the link between those thoughts, your feelings and what you do next. For adults roughly 20 to 45, that work often starts with school pressure, relationships or a new job.
Start With One Recent Moment
In a session, I might ask you to walk me through the last time worry interrupted your day. We identify what happened, the thought that arrived and your response. Keeping the example specific helps us see the pattern without treating every difficult feeling as something you need to correct.
Spot the Worst-Case Prediction
Catastrophizing means jumping from a problem to its most frightening possible ending. A disappointing grade might become a certainty that your plans are ruined. We slow down that leap and separate what you know from what you fear, leaving room for a more balanced view of the situation.
Answer the Bully in Your Brain
I sometimes call that harsh inner commentary the bully in your brain. We can put its message into words and ask what supports it, what contradicts it and what it leaves out. The response needs to be believable to you, rather than a cheerful sentence you cannot accept.
Notice What Worry Has You Doing
Checking an email repeatedly or avoiding a conversation may briefly reduce tension while taking more of your attention. I ask about those responses alongside the thoughts. Together, we can choose a manageable alternative, such as sending the message once and noticing the urge to check it again.
I want the answer to a harsh thought to sound like something you can actually believe.
Bridget Moore, LCSWPractice Outside the Appointment
Between sessions, you might note a worrying prediction and the answer you practiced with me. The task should fit a real week of classes or work. At our next meeting, we look at what happened, including the parts that were awkward or difficult, rather than grading your effort.
Make Goals Concrete
Our 60-minute intake covers your history and the concerns you want to address. A CBT goal might involve spending less time reviewing conversations or approaching a task you have been avoiding. We set that goal together and revisit it as we learn more about your thoughts and routines.
Leave Room for Other Perspectives
I use CBT alongside approaches such as ACT and psychodynamic therapy when they fit our conversation. A thought about disappointing someone may connect to an older relationship pattern or a choice about your values. We do not have to force those concerns into a single exercise or explanation.
Choose a Workable Session Format
I offer weekday daytime appointments in Shelton or online while you are physically in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Rhode Island. Individual therapy is $175 for 45 minutes, weekly or every other week. Your free consultation is when we discuss the intake fee and questions about working together.
Bring One Thought We Can Examine
Use a free 15-minute consultation to tell me about the prediction that keeps returning. We can discuss how thought-focused work might fit your concerns and your daytime schedule.
Free 15-Minute Consult