Lauren Pellizzi LLC

Specialized OCD & Anxiety Treatment

​​​​CBT Example for OCD

​​​CBT General Information

​​​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The CBT model is based on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected and influence one another.  Cognitive interventions include identifying unhelpful and distorted thinking, testing and modifying beliefs, and developing skills to distance from one’s thoughts. The premise is that the core beliefs and stories that we have developed about ourselves in childhood continue to impact our current behaviors. These stories are like lenses that distort our perceptions and experiences with others and can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies in relationships. Cognitive interventions help individuals understand how their conditioning from early childhood is impacting their current relationships and influencing their behaviors. The goal is to help individuals recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to create behavioral flexibility.

CBT helps individuals take incremental, constructive steps towards replacing automatic and learned behaviors with positive new ones. In this type of therapy the patient is actively involved in his or her own recovery, has a sense of control, and learns skills that are useful throughout life. Through identifying distorted/negative thinking processes that influence behaviors, the therapist and client work together to replace old behaviors with alternative behaviors that are more effective, positive, and based on values. The goal is to develop skills to cope with your internal experiences so that they don’t stop you from taking actions towards creating the life that you want.

CBT typically involves reading about the problem, keeping records between appointments, and completing homework assignments in which the treatment procedures are practiced. Patients learn skills during therapy sessions, but they must practice repeatedly to see improvement.