Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

By learning to notice and adjust negative thought patterns, clients develop healthier ways to respond to anxiety and stress.

How CBT Works:

Instead of focusing mainly on the past, CBT looks at current patterns and gives practical tools that can be used in everyday life. Through structured sessions, clients learn to identify unhelpful thoughts, question their accuracy, and replace them with more balanced perspectives.

Core CBT Techniques Include:

Cognitive Restructuring:
Identifying and challenging irrational fears and distorted thinking patterns that fuel anxiety

Behavioral Activation:
Encouraging participation in meaningful activities to improve mood and reduce avoidance

Exposure Therapy:
Gradually confronting feared situations to reduce anxiety responses over time

Common Conditions Treated with CBT:

CBT works for many mental health concerns, including:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Specific Phobias
• School Avoidance

By teaching practical skills that connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, CBT helps teens and young adults feel more in control of their anxiety and return to the activities and relationships that matter most.

Our CBT-Based Approach Includes:

Individual Therapy:
One-on-one sessions where clients work with their dedicated therapist to identify negative thought patterns, challenge distorted beliefs, and develop healthier behavioral responses. Learn more about Individual Therapy. 

Exposure response prevention (ERP):
ERP is a specialized form of CBT used to treat OCD and anxiety disorders by helping clients face feared situations without engaging in compulsive behaviors or avoidance. 

Skills Groups:
Collaborative sessions where clients learn and practice CBT techniques alongside peers, building confidence and social connection.

Take-Home Exercises:
Between sessions, clients complete assignments that reinforce new skills and apply CBT strategies in real-world situations.

Parent Support and Coaching:
Parents learn CBT principles to support their child’s progress at home, reduce accommodation patterns, and reinforce healthy coping strategies. Learn more about Parent Coaching. 

Our program delivers a targeted ten hours of individual and group therapy each week, with a lead clinician dedicated to a maximum of three clients. This intensive, personalized structure allows for rapid symptom improvement while ensuring each teen or young adult receives focused attention and guidance.

Speak with our team to learn how CBT is integrated into our IOP programs.

CBT offers practical, tangible benefits that help teens and young adults manage anxiety, build resilience, and regain control over daily life.

Empowers with Practical Tools:
Clients learn concrete strategies they can use independently to manage anxiety, challenge negative thoughts, and navigate difficult situations

Delivers Rapid Symptom Improvement:
The structured, goal-oriented nature of CBT often leads to noticeable progress within weeks

Enhances Emotional Regulation:
Clients develop greater self-awareness and learn to identify triggers before anxiety escalates

Reduces Avoidance Behaviors:
Through exposure work, clients confront fears systematically, decreasing the power anxiety holds over their lives

Supports Daily Functioning:
By addressing symptoms directly, CBT helps teens stay in school, maintain friendships, and participate fully in life

At Anxiety Institute, 96% of clients report reduced anxiety or depression following treatment. Our evidence-based CBT approach, combined with family involvement and intensive support, creates an environment where lasting change is not only possible but expected.

CBT at Anxiety Institute May Be Right for Your Child If:

• Anxiety or OCD is interfering with their school, social relationships, or daily activities
• Your child would benefit from proven treatment delivered by specialists in anxiety and OCD
• Your family is looking for personalized therapy tailored to your child’s specific needs

Our Treatment Options:

We offer CBT through both our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for ages 12 to 25 and Outpatient Therapy for clients as young as eight. Our IOP provides 10 hours of targeted and group therapy weekly for those needing more intensive support, while our outpatient services offer flexible, individualized treatment, including in-person and virtual one-on-one therapy.

We work with bright, high-functioning young people who want to overcome avoidance patterns and take back control of their lives. Our treatment is delivered in a supportive, collaborative environment that respects each client’s unique strengths, goals and pace.

Our locations:

• Greenwich, CT
• Madison, NJ
• McLean, VA

Our in-person model allows clinicians to build strong therapeutic relationships, conduct effective exposure therapy in real-world settings, and provide the personalized attention essential for treating anxiety and OCD. We also offer telehealth options for outpatient therapy when clinically appropriate.

Whether you’re searching for a CBT therapist near you, a cognitive behavioral therapy program, or a specialized anxiety treatment center, Anxiety Institute provides evidence-based care tailored to teens and young adults.