Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and widely used evidence-based approaches for helping children, teens, and adults manage emotional and behavioral challenges. CBT is based on the understanding that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. When individuals experience distress, unhelpful thinking patterns and automatic reactions often develop, leading to emotional struggles and problematic behaviors.
CBT helps children recognize how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions, while teaching them practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. This approach is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, emotional regulation issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and ADHD, but is highly adaptable to a wide range of concerns.
Our Approach to CBT at Moroz Child Psychology Group While CBT is grounded in structured, evidence-based interventions, our practice is deeply committed to tailoring this approach to each child’s developmental level, personality, and individual needs. We believe that the success of CBT lies not only in the techniques themselves but also in our ability to foster a trusting therapeutic relationship and adapt these strategies in ways that resonate with the child and their family.
Key Components of CBT:
- Understanding the Thought-Feeling-Behavior Cycle: Children often struggle to see the link between their thoughts and their emotions or actions. We teach children to identify this connection, helping them see that their interpretation of events often drives their emotional responses and choices.
- Cognitive Restructuring: We help children recognize unhelpful thought patterns (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, self-criticism) and teach them how to challenge and replace these thoughts with more balanced, realistic alternatives.
- Socratic Questioning: We guide children through reflective questions (e.g., “What is the evidence for that thought?” “What’s the worst that could happen?” “How likely is that?”) to help them develop more flexible and rational thinking.
- Behavioral Experiments: For children who feel trapped by fear or avoidance, we encourage them to test their beliefs through real-world experiences. This helps demonstrate that their feared outcomes are often unlikely and builds confidence in their ability to cope with uncertainty.
- Exposure Techniques: Particularly for anxiety and OCD, we support children in gradually facing their fears in manageable steps, helping them learn that their anxiety naturally decreases over time when they stay in the situation instead of avoiding it.
- Behavioral Activation: For children struggling with low mood or avoidance, we help them re-engage in pleasurable and purposeful activities, teaching them that mood often improves after action, even when motivation is low.
- Developing Coping Skills: We equip children with tools such as relaxation strategies, mindfulness techniques, and problem-solving frameworks to help them manage stress and regulate their emotions in everyday situations.
- Parent Involvement: CBT is most effective when parents are involved as supportive partners. We coach parents on how to reinforce CBT skills at home, model healthy coping strategies, and help their child practice the tools learned in therapy.
Our Goal
CBT is not about teaching children to suppress their emotions, but empowering them to understand their experiences, respond thoughtfully to challenges, and develop the confidence to handle difficult situations in the future. Through practical strategies, collaborative problem-solving, and an emphasis on self-awareness, we help children and families build lasting resilience and emotional well-being.