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- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Noticing the thoughts and habits that keep a problem going, and changing them with practice.
Most of our therapists (56 of 62) use this approach.
CBT is built on a simple observation: how you think about a situation shapes how you feel and what you do, and those three keep feeding each other. Anxiety says "something will go wrong," so you avoid; avoiding confirms the danger; the next time is worse. Depression says "nothing will help," so you withdraw; withdrawing removes the things that would have helped.
CBT interrupts that loop. It's structured, practical and time-limited, usually somewhere between 8 and 20 sessions for a specific problem, and it has more research behind it than any other form of psychotherapy.
What we use it for
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD & related conditions
- Trauma & PTSD
- ADHD
- Anger
- Self-esteem
- Eating disorders
- Stress & life transitions
- Chronic illness & medical conditions
Is it a fit?
A good fit if you want something practical with a clear plan and you're willing to do some work between sessions. Less of a fit, on its own, if what you're looking for is open-ended exploration of your history; many of our clinicians combine CBT with other approaches for exactly that reason.
What the evidence says
CBT is the first-line psychological treatment in clinical guidelines for anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, insomnia and eating disorders, and it has strong evidence for many other conditions. Its effects tend to last after treatment ends because you keep the skills.
Common questions
Is CBT just positive thinking?
No. CBT isn't about replacing negative thoughts with positive ones; it's about replacing inaccurate thoughts with accurate ones. Sometimes the accurate thought is still hard. The difference is that you're responding to what's real instead of to the worst case.
How long does CBT take?
A focused course for one problem is often 8 to 20 weekly sessions. Longer-standing or overlapping problems take longer. You'll review progress regularly and know where you stand.
Do I have to do homework?
Practice between sessions is part of what makes CBT work, but it's designed with you and sized to your life. Nobody is grading it.
Where to find it
Available at every Oceanic® office and through our telehealth team; availability of specific approaches varies by clinician.
Grand Strand
- Carolina Forest215 Ronnie Ct, Suite C, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
- Myrtle Beach1304 Professional Dr, Suite E (2nd floor), Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
- Surfside Beach1508 Azalea Drive, Suite 802, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
- Murrells Inlet11947 Grandhaven Dr, Suite N, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Midlands
- West Columbia121 Executive Center Dr, Suite 102, Columbia, SC 29210
- Forest Acres1800 Saint Julian Place, Suite 401, Columbia, SC 29204
- Irmo7520 Irmo Dr, Columbia, SC 29212
Upstate
- Greenville37 Villa Rd, Suite 508, Greenville, SC 29615
- Anderson132 Broadbent Way, Anderson, SC 29625
Lowcountry
- North Charleston2179 Ashley Phosphate Rd, Suite A, North Charleston, SC 29406
Anywhere in South Carolina
- OnlineSecure video sessions, statewide
- Carolina Forest (Myrtle Beach, SC)
- Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, SC)
- Surfside Beach (Surfside Beach, SC)
- Murrells Inlet (Murrells Inlet, SC)
- North Charleston (North Charleston, SC)
- West Columbia (Columbia, SC)
- Forest Acres (Columbia, SC)
- Irmo (Columbia, SC)
- Greenville (Greenville, SC)
- Anderson (Anderson, SC)
- Online, anywhere in South Carolina
Ready when you are.
Call us or submit a short intake form. A Patient Account Representative will match you with a therapist, and most new clients have their first appointment within a few business days.