Root & Bloom Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Practical tools for how you think and feel

CBT is one of the most researched, well-supported approaches in therapy — a structured way to notice the thought patterns driving how you feel, and build real, practical skills to change them.

A person in a thoughtful moment during a CBT therapy session

What CBT actually is

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is built on a simple idea: our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. A stressful thought can trigger a strong feeling, which can shape how we act — and that pattern can repeat itself without us ever stepping back to notice it.

CBT is a structured, practical approach to noticing those patterns and working with them directly. It's not just talking about problems — you and your therapist actively build skills together, often with specific exercises between sessions, so progress carries into daily life rather than staying in the room.

It's one of the most researched approaches in therapy, with strong evidence for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns — but it's also flexible enough to adapt to what you're actually going through, not a rigid script applied the same way to everyone.

Signs it may be time to reach out

CBT can help with a wide range of concerns. Here are some signs it might be a good fit.

Repetitive, hard-to-shake worry or negative thought patterns
Noticing your thoughts make a hard situation feel even bigger
Avoiding things because of how you expect to feel
Wanting concrete tools and skills, not just a space to talk
Anxiety, depression, or stress that feels tied to specific thought patterns
Wanting structured, goal-oriented sessions with measurable progress

How we can help

CBT is often paired with other approaches depending on what you need. Related approaches our therapists use include:

  • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Person-centered therapy
  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

What to expect in CBT

Every treatment plan is personalized, but CBT sessions usually follow a pattern like this.

Identifying patterns

You and your therapist map out the connection between specific thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in situations that are hard for you.

Building real skills

Concrete tools — not just insight — for noticing unhelpful thought patterns and responding to them differently.

Practicing between sessions

CBT often includes small, practical exercises to try in daily life, so progress isn't limited to the hour you spend in the room.

Tracking real change

Goal-oriented and structured, so you and your therapist can see what's actually working, not just talk about it.

Meet the therapists who can help

Insurance accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare/Medicaid through a commercial or managed plan. Private-pay sessions are also available.

Common questions

What does a typical CBT session look like?

More structured than open-ended talk therapy — you and your therapist usually set an agenda together, review how things went since your last session, and work on specific tools for whatever you're facing.

How long does CBT take to work?

It varies by person and what you're working on, but CBT is generally considered a shorter-term, goal-oriented approach compared to some other therapy styles — many people notice real shifts within a number of weeks, not years.

Is CBT only for anxiety and depression?

Those are two of the most common reasons people come to CBT, but it's used for a wide range of concerns — stress, relationship patterns, life transitions, and more. Your therapist will tailor it to what you're actually going through.

Do I need "homework" for CBT to work?

Many people find the between-session practice genuinely helpful, since it's where a lot of the real change happens — but your therapist will work with you on what's realistic, not assign something that doesn't fit your life.

Ready to get started?

Our online scheduling wizard asks a few quick questions and shows you the therapists who fit what you’re looking for.