Cognitive Restructuring Therapy in Los Angeles
Transform the way you think. Change the way you feel.
Cognitive restructuring, sometimes called cognitive reappraisal, is a powerful technique used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people recognize and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mood-related challenges, chances are your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are caught in a self-reinforcing cycle. Cognitive restructuring works by breaking that cycle, retraining your mind to view situations through a clearer, more balanced lens.
At Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, we use evidence-based cognitive restructuring strategies to help clients replace distorted thoughts with realistic and constructive ones. Whether you're battling constant self-criticism, catastrophic thinking, or overwhelming worry, this method can provide the clarity and relief you need.
What Is Cognitive Restructuring?
Cognitive restructuring is one of the most important Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques. It helps people become aware of their automatic thoughts, the fast, reflexive interpretations we make about ourselves, others, and the world. These thoughts often go unchallenged, but they powerfully shape how we feel and act.
Through cognitive restructuring, you’ll learn to:
Identify unhelpful or irrational thoughts
Evaluate the evidence for and against those thoughts
Explore alternative explanations
Replace distortions with more accurate, empowering perspectives
This process doesn’t involve blindly thinking “positively.” Instead, it’s about developing a more realistic, flexible mindset—one grounded in the actual evidence in the situation and tailored to your values and goals.
How Cognitive Reappraisal Works
Our brains are meaning-making machines. But when you’re anxious or depressed, your mind may interpret everyday experiences through a distorted filter—what some call “smoke-colored lenses.” For example:
Depression: You might automatically assume you're a failure if something doesn’t go as planned. That thought leads to sadness and hopelessness, making it harder to take action that could improve your situation.
Anxiety: You may jump to the conclusion that something terrible will happen, even when there’s little or no evidence. This leads to avoidance, worry, and physical tension.
Cognitive restructuring helps you step back and question these assumptions. When you begin to see your thoughts as hypotheses rather than facts, you gain emotional distance, and with that distance comes freedom. Over time, this shift allows you to respond to life’s challenges with more clarity, confidence, and resilience.
Conditions Treated with Cognitive Restructuring
Backed by decades of scientific research, cognitive restructuring is effective for a wide range of psychological concerns, including:
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Depression and low self-esteem
Social anxiety and performance fears
Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Phobias (e.g., fear of flying, public speaking)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Bipolar disorder
Personality disorders
Substance abuse and addiction recovery
If you’ve felt stuck in a loop of negative thoughts, CBT can offer a path forward. Our CBT therapists specialize in helping clients understand their mental patterns and create lasting cognitive and emotional change.
Begin Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Los Angeles
At Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles, we believe change begins by learning to think differently. Our licensed psychologists use cutting-edge CBT tools, including cognitive restructuring exercises, to help you regain control over your mind, emotions, and actions.
Whether you're new to therapy or looking for a more structured, results-driven approach, our team is here to support your growth.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about CBT therapy in Los Angeles. Rewiring your thoughts is the first step toward reclaiming your life.