Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. At TAN Healthcare, counseling services are available to help individuals navigate stress, anxiety, depression, life changes, and everyday challenges in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
In this Q&A, Ana Garcia, LPC-A at TAN Healthcare’s Beaumont Health Center, explains Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical and evidence-based approach that helps people recognize unhelpful thought patterns, manage emotions, and develop healthier coping skills for daily life. She also discusses common signs someone may benefit from counseling, what to expect from therapy, and why confidentiality is such an important part of the process.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and how would you explain it in simple terms?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is considered amongst mental health professionals as the gold standard in psychotherapy. CBT is a practical, evidence-based therapeutic approach that treats mental health conditions by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are constantly interacting and influencing one another. How we interpret or think about a situation determines how we feel about it, which then determines how we’ll react.
A lot of times, we get stuck in patterns of thinking that are negative, overly critical, or unhelpful without even realizing it. CBT helps you recognize those patterns and learn how to shift them into something more helpful.
For example, with depression, a person may start to believe that nothing they do really matters. CBT helps them notice that thought, challenge whether it is completely true, and still take small meaningful actions like getting out of bed, stepping outside, or reaching out to someone for support.
With anxiety, the thought might sound like something bad is going to happen. CBT teaches people to slow down, look at the actual facts, and calm both their mind and body before the anxiety builds into something overwhelming.
It can also help in everyday situations, like overthinking a text message, feeling uncomfortable in a social setting, or assuming others are judging you. CBT encourages you to pause and ask yourself whether those thoughts are based on reality or if your mind is filling in the gaps.
At its core, CBT offers practical tools that help people become more grounded, self-aware, and intentional in how they respond to challenging situations.
What are some of the benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
One of the biggest benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that it gives you real, practical tools you can use in your daily life. CBT helps you manage stress, challenge negative thoughts, and feel more in control of your emotions. A lot of people like it because it’s about learning skills you can actually take with you.
What are some early signs that someone might benefit from counseling?
I believe that counseling is beneficial for everybody and it can look different for most people. I would say that some early signs that someone might benefit from counseling include feeling overwhelmed more often than usual, increased anxiety or sadness, trouble concentrating, or feeling stuck in negative patterns. People might also notice relationship struggles, loss of motivation, or feeling like they’re not quite themselves.
When is the right time for someone to consider therapy?
When it comes to the right time for someone to consider therapy, I would say that therapy can be helpful at any stage. However, if something is affecting your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, it’s worth talking to someone. You don’t have to wait until things feel severe; early support can make a big difference.
What would you say to someone who feels nervous about starting therapy?
Feeling nervous about starting therapy is completely normal, and most people feel that way in the beginning. Opening up to someone new can feel intimidating, but therapy is meant to be a safe, supportive space where people can move at their own pace. You don’t have to have everything figured out before starting. You just have to be willing to take the first step.
How does confidentiality work in therapy, and why is it so important for patients to understand?
Confidentiality means that what you share in therapy is private, and that’s a big part of what makes it feel safe. There are a few exceptions, like if someone is in danger or there’s abuse that needs to be reported, but those limits are always explained upfront. Understanding confidentiality helps build trust. It allows clients to be open and honest without fear, which is essential for effective therapy.
