Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Massachusetts
Your thoughts shape your world; CBT helps you reshape them. At Aftermath Behavioral Health in Wakefield, Massachusetts, we use this practical, evidence-based therapy to help you feel steadier and more in control.
What Is CBT?
Behavioral therapy looks at the connection between how we think, feel, and act. With support, people learn to recognize patterns that aren’t serving them alongside practical strategies to respond in healthier, more helpful ways. Over time, this process can make daily life more manageable, bringing emotional relief.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most widely used forms of behavioral therapy, was developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck. He discovered that when people challenged their automatic negative thoughts, their mood often improved. Since then, CBT has become a trusted, research-backed treatment for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
CBT vs. DBT
CBT and DBT are valuable evidence-based therapies, but they serve different purposes. CBT works on shifting unhelpful thoughts that impact behavior, while DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) helps people handle intense emotions and build healthier relationships. What’s best for you depends entirely on what you’re working through.
What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Used For?
CBT helps people break patterns that are holding them back. It can be used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions and is especially helpful for people who feel stuck in negative thoughts, behaviors, or emotional loops.
At Aftermath Behavioral Health, we use CBT to support recovery from:
- Addictive Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Emotional Self-Harm
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Co-Occurring Disorders (Dual Diagnosis)
- Grief and Loss
- Suicidal Ideation
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Depressive Disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Mood Disorders
- Trauma-Related Disorders, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
How Does CBT Work?
CBT teaches you how to understand your inner dialogue (the way you talk to yourself) and how that affects your emotions and behavior. Instead of digging into the past, CBT focuses on what’s happening right now and gives you tools you can use right away, in real life, to feel steadier and capable.
Core Principles
CBT is built on a few practical ideas:
- The way you think affects how you feel and what you do
- Negative thoughts can fuel distress and unhelpful behaviors
- Learning to reframe these thoughts can change your outlook and choices
- Skills like problem-solving and stress management can be practiced over time
Stages of CBT
At the start, your therapist will help you clarify what’s bothering you and what you’d like to work on. From there, you’ll explore thought patterns that cause distress and try out new ways to respond. Each session has a clear goal, and between sessions, you’ll practice what you’re learning in real life, like training your mind the way you’d train a muscle.
CBT Exercises
CBT includes practical tools you can take with you, helping to reinforce your new skills. Some examples include:
- Thought records to break down and challenge negative thinking
- Behavioral activation to rebuild joy and motivation
- Exposure tasks to face fears step by step
- Problem-solving practice for stressful situations
- Mindfulness and grounding techniques to stay present
- “Thinking trap” tools to spot patterns like catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking
Outpatient Programs at Aftermath Behavioral Health
CBT is available across all of our outpatient levels of care. Whether you’re new to therapy or looking for ongoing support, we have a path that can work for you.
Psychiatric Day Treatment
This full-day program provides consistent, structured support without the need for inpatient care. You’ll attend sessions during the day and return home each evening.
Intensive Psychiatric Outpatient
Our half-day program is more flexible than day treatment and includes multiple sessions per week. It’s a good fit if you need support but also want to stay connected to work, school, or family.
Outpatient Mental Health
Outpatient care offers long-term support with fewer sessions per week. It’s often used as a step-down from more intensive care or for ongoing mental wellness.
Start Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Today
Everyone deserves the tools to manage their mental health with confidence. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just ready to approach things differently, CBT offers a simple way to work through your challenges.
At Aftermath Behavioral Health, you’ll find experienced professionals, personalized care that meets you where you are, and a plan built around your goals. Reach out today to take the first step.
FAQs
Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work?
Yes. CBT is one of the most well-studied and effective therapies available. It’s shown to reduce symptoms for a wide range of mental health conditions.
What principle underlies cognitive-behavioral therapy?
CBT is based on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions. Changing how you think can improve how you feel and behave.
Is CBT the same as cognitive processing therapy?
No. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specialized form of CBT used mainly to treat trauma, especially PTSD.
What is TF-CBT?
TF-CBT stands for trauma-focused CBT. It’s a structured therapy approach for children, teens, and their caregivers who’ve experienced trauma.
Is CBT the best therapy for anxiety?
CBT is considered a top therapy for anxiety. It helps people learn to manage anxious thoughts, reduce avoidance, and feel more in control.