Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is recognized for its focus on wellness and recovery, especially from substance misuse and mental health conditions. This is why cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stands at the core - an evidence-based, outcome-driven psychotherapy that consistently delivers real change.

CBT works by changing the unhelpful thinking-emotional-behavioral patterns toward healing and lasting recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an evidence-based therapy that changes your emotions and behaviors by targeting unhealthy thinking patterns. Together, you and your therapist will identify these patterns and learn practical strategies to uplift the quality of life.

Dr. Aaron T. Beck developed CBT in the 1960s and 1970s, when he found that his research refuted the basic tenets of psychoanalytic theory. Today, CBT is used to treat a wide spectrum of mental health-related concerns, like anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders, and substance misuse. It is also used to treat physical health conditions, like chronic pain and rheumatism.

Linda Whiteside, Clinical Supervisor at the NuView Treatment Center, says, “CBT is a highly efficient therapy because it is structured, practical, time-bound, and proven to treat a wide range of substance use, behavioral addictions, and mental health concerns. Clients at our Los Angeles facility typically report meaningful improvement within just 8-12 sessions.”

Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the ABC model developed by Dr. Albert Ellis - the founder of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). “ABC” is an acronym for:

• A stands for adversity or the activating event.
• B stands for your beliefs regarding the adversity/activity event. It can refer to the implicit or explicit thoughts about the event, yourself in relation to the event, and others in relation to the event.
• C stands for the consequences, which are the resulting emotions and behaviors.

The underlying concept of the ABC model is that B is the link between A and C. B holds the key, as changing beliefs also change the consequences. Over time, you will learn how to recognize your B in relation to A and reshape it toward healthier and more productive Cs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, and even some physical conditions. Linda Whiteside says, “At NuView, we notice that CBT is 3 times more efficient and 2 times quicker than other therapies when it comes to treating substance use and mental health conditions.”

Some of the conditions that CBT can help with are:

• Anxiety symptoms and disorders
• Depressive symptoms and disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, otherwise known as PTSD
• Eating disorders
• Substance use patterns and disorders
• Behavioral addictions, like gambling, eating, shopping, etc
• Interpersonal relationship-related troubles
• Sleep troubles, like insomnia
• Stresses, anger troubles, low self-esteem, and other everyday problems

Cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective for a number of reasons, such as:

• Evidence-Backed: Over 2,000 studies have shed light on its efficacy in treating substance misuse and co-occurring mental health conditions, proving it effective across a wide range of conditions.
• Present-Focused: Unlike psychoanalysis or psychodynamics, it focuses on the here and now rather than dwelling on the past, making it more focused and quicker.
• Engaging: CBT promotes active, intentional recovery by keeping you engaged as an equal partner with your therapist, including practicing skills between sessions and completing homework.
• Time-Bound: CBT is structured and typically lasts between 5–20 sessions, rather than extending over several months or years.

Linda Whiteside says, “Several factors make CBT the gold standard for all therapies, as it is the most widely researched and used therapy so far. It has also inspired other therapies, like dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and more - all of which have made a vast difference in the field of mental health as it stands today.”

In your initial sessions, your therapist will get to know your background and explain what you can expect from the therapy. You identify the challenges in your thinking, emotional, and behavioral patterns, and the goals you will target.

From the second session onward, you will learn practical strategies to overcome these challenges. Most of our clients say that they begin noticing shifts in behaviors and quality of life by session 4, but typically CBT takes at least 8 sessions to show meaningful improvement.

Beyond this, you will work toward sustaining the progress you have made and also on preventing relapse with substance use and other mental health concerns.

Choosing cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles means you are working with highly qualified and experienced therapists who are trained in tailoring the therapy to your needs and goals so that your recovery is not just efficient - it is meaningful and empowering.

In LA, you receive in-person and telehealth sessions, and you will be guided by therapists who understand the science behind change and how you can apply this in real, practical ways to make a difference in your life.

In fact, at NuView, our expert team also uses specific CBT-based techniques that most come to LA to find, like exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD and cognitive processing therapy for PTSD, among others.

If you feel that cognitive behavioral therapy in Los Angeles is the right option for you going forward, then finding a licensed mental health practitioner with advanced training in CBT will be the first step. This can be quite tricky, especially if it is your first time.

At NuView, we can simplify this for you. We understand your background, challenges, needs, strengths, and goals to connect you with a skilled CBT therapist best aligned with your healing journey. We provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can achieve a meaningful change and a healthier tomorrow.

Please do not hesitate to call us at (323) 307-7997 to speak with our CBT experts today!

1. What are the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a brief therapy that targets unhelpful thinking patterns to change emotions and behavior. It is an evidence-backed therapy that can be tailored to your needs and goals.

2. What are the risks of CBT?

CBT is highly structured, so it can sometimes feel rigid. You can also experience emotional discomfort and anxiety when your thoughts, emotions, or behaviors are challenged.

3. How long will CBT take?

Typically, CBT lasts for 8-12 sessions. Sometimes, this can extend up to 20 sessions.

4. Can CBT be provided online?

Yes, CBT can be provided online through video conferencing, audio calls, and even texts.

5. Is CBT covered by insurance?

Generally speaking, CBT is covered by insurance when it is integrated into broader rehab plans for substance use and mental health concerns. Otherwise, it depends on your insurance policy. You can call your insurance provider to understand your coverage, or you can also call NuView at (323) 307-7997, and we can verify this for you.