Knoxville Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Therapists and Counselors in Knoxville, TN—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Everyone has felt stuck at some point in their lives. It is normal to face a setback or obstacle that feels overwhelming. In those times, negative, untrue thoughts can plague people. Maybe you have thought, “I feel devastated. How can I move forward?” Many people struggle with negative thinking, and unfortunately, these cognitive distortions do not stay in people’s heads. Thinking about reality in an untrue, negative way can lead to unhelpful choices. The reality is that people always have options for moving forward, even when they feel like they do not. Many people are learning the power of adjusting these negative thoughts and replacing them with positive, truthful thinking patterns. They are going to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help them learn how.

“I learned to take those experiences that were difficult in my life and
in the adversity that I had overcome to use it for a positive change.”
—Dominique Moceanu

Unfortunately, switching from a negative thinking pattern to a positive one is not as easy as flipping a switch and turning a light on. People have significant control over their own thoughts and feelings, but channeling them toward truth and positivity takes skill. These skills can be learned, however, and many therapists are able to teach their clients how to do so through CBT.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a proven therapeutic technique that has been utilized to help people facing a wide array of challenges. Research has shown that CBT can help individuals implement significant and long-term change within their lives. In particular, clients who struggled with anxiety and depression experienced as much symptom relief through CBT as they did with medication. CBT focuses upon equipping individuals with the cognitive and emotional skills they need to face the challenges in their lives.

Counselors utilize CBT to treat emotional, social, psychological, and relational difficulties such as…

  • Relationship issues
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Anger management
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Self-destructive habits
  • Insomnia
  • Drug and/or alcohol addiction
  • General health issues
  • Child and adolescent issues

The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Knoxville offer cognitive behavioral therapy, and we have seen the transformation that can happen in a client’s life. When they change their thinking, clients often change their lives.

What Exactly Is CBT?

The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is not to change people’s circumstances, although that is often a bi-product of the work people do. Instead, CBT’s focus is upon how people are responding to their circumstances.

During a typical CBT session, clients will present a real-life challenge they are facing. CBT is practical to its core. The therapist and client work together to process this particular challenge. While people may or may not be able to change the scenario, they can change their own perspective. Clients and therapists work to identify cognitive distortions—untrue and negative thoughts that are holding the client back. After these are identified, they can be replaced with truthful, positive thoughts.

For example, consider Amy. She comes to a CBT session and lets her therapist know that she did not sleep last night. Insomnia has plagued her in the past and seems to be flaring again. Amy is discouraged and tells her therapist, “I don’t know if I will ever sleep normally again.” Amy and her therapist examine this thought. Does one bad night mean Amy will never sleep again? No, not at all. Will this thought help her sleep tonight? No. Instead, Amy is challenged to think of something true about her insomnia. Amy knows that she has been working hard to stick to her sleep routine. There have good days and bad days, but overall, Amy’s insomnia is improving. Amy and her therapist work on focusing Amy’s attention upon this positive, true thought.

Problematic Cognitive Distortions

Untrue, negative thoughts have a name—cognitive distortions. These can exacerbate an already difficult circumstance, and at times, cognitive distortions can create problems that did not previously exist. The first step toward changing these is usually to become aware of them. Cognitive distortions that commonly plague people may include…

  • Polarized thinking that sees the world as either-or, black-and-white or all-or-nothing.
  • Blaming that seeks out fault and blame in every situation, even though at times no one is to blame.
  • Catastrophizing over-emphasizes the negative and expects the worst possible outcome for every situation.
  • Control fallacies means people assume too much control over a situation or refuse to accept control that is rightfully their—possibly seeing themselves as victims of the universe, luck, and/or fate.
  • Filtering dismisses any positivity so that people also see what may be wrong or what is negative.
  • Overgeneralization uses a one-time experience or event to formulate a universal principle.
  • Emotional reasoning does not delineate between an external reality and people’s internal feelings. Just because someone feels incompetent does not mean they are.
  • Fairness fallacy uses a subjective standard for fairness to compare and contrast oneself with others.

Thriveworks Knoxville Offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

If you are ready for a more positive perspective on your life, consider cognitive behavioral therapy. Thriveworks Knoxville has appointments available, and our staff is experienced, trained, and caring.

When you reach out to our office, you may be meeting with your therapist the following day. We also accept most insurance plans and offer weekend and evening sessions. However, we never put our clients on a waitlist.

Contact Thriveworks Knoxville today. Let’s work together for a more positive outlook.

Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 19 5 1 19 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall was great

★★★★★
I saw Justin for assistance with OCD. He showed me how to look at things in a way that did not allow my OCD to take over. I will would highly recommend him.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Anxiety

★★★★★
I have been taking my 7 year old grandson to see Justin. He had horrible anxiety. It saddened us to see how bad it was. He had developed tics. Justin was absolutely wonderful with him. He has overcome most of his fears and tics have went away. I would highly recommend Justin.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Cannot Recommend Enough

★★★★★
Going to Thriveworks for the past year and a half has been the most rewarding counseling experience I’ve had. Seeing Lindsey has had the single biggest impact on my emotional and mental health, especially in healing from past childhood abuse and trauma, and ongoing PTSD. Out of multiple counselors in two states, Lindsey Chandler is by far the one with whom I’ve felt the most accepted, supported, and encouraged by. I am grateful for the Thriveworks space, as it is not at all clinical nor intimidating, but entirely warn and welcoming. It is nearly a scent-free environment, which is vital for the comfort of any highly sensitive persons. I choose to drive an hour from home each visit specifically to stay loyal to a place where I finally feel safe and valued—where in the past commuting five minutes from home to work with a therapist felt like a chore and an ordeal—and I will continue to do so as I work further toward a healthier me.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Dr Neal is amazing!!

★★★★★
Dr Neal has helped me more in the last 2 months than any other therapist in the last 5 years. Therapy has become a joy instead of a chore. :)
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall

★★★★★
Justin Hall is an excellent therapist. Very easy to talk to and genuinely concerned with the patient.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Amanda Gilliam

★★★★★
Amanda Gilliam has been such a blessing in helping my daughter deal with her anxiety issues. My daughter is much stronger and confident now thanks to Amanda's expertise,dedication, and just willing to talk about whatever my daughter wants to talk about! Great person to call if you in know someone dealing with anxiety!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Mrs. Amanda

★★★★★
My son saw “Mrs. Amanda” as he affectionately called her shortly after my marriage ended in a high conflict divorce. My son was 6 years old at the time, so it was difficult for him to process his feelings without knowing how to communicate with us. Amanda Gilliam was always there to listen and provide outlets for him to speak openly about his feelings in a way that could be understood. She is top knotch in my book and I would highly recommend her as a professional!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall

★★★★★
I was in sessions with Justin for about a year and highly recommend him. He has a deep grasp of psychology that he is constantly refreshing and renewing, and he was able to help me a lot in understanding what was driving the emotions and feelings of myself and close family members. He was a great help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Karen Trotter

★★★★★
Karen has been so AWESOME in assisting with my daughter’s healing process. It’s been a blessing having so many diverse avenues for myself & my daughter to communicate with Karen & her immediate responses 😘. I tried to rate Karen as 5 + but it wouldn’t let me 😁
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Not the place for me

★☆☆☆☆
I have attended one session alone and a second session with my then girlfriend at her urging me to seek couples therapy, in this session I was basically felt like all the relationship issues were my fault and as I was pressured more and more about my issues I walked out of the session to collect my thoughts as I was being bombarded by both my girlfriend and my therapist. Apparently after I stepped out the therapist told my girlfriend that I was worse than an addict and she was sorry but didn’t feel I was worth attending counseling with, this resulted in the end of that relationship before We even left the office. I have other issues and have realized that I am suffering from depression due to other issues and this has added to my depression. At this point I have no intention of returning to see this counselor or any other counselor there as they have added to my problems leaving me feeling like I am not good enough. Honestly if this is how they make their clients feel then as far as I’m concerned this office shouldn’t even exist. I need to find out how I can be refunded at Least a portion of the money I’ve “wasted” on this experience and hope I can find someone else who is willing to help me work through my issues and not feel persecuted.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Makes Getting Better Easy

★★★★★
I can't thank Amanda Brooks enough. She's an amazing person and is an amazing place. After calling about 15 therapists and getting immediately turned away, returned my call within the hour and Amanda was hand-picked for me and my situation. I got an appointmentheduled that day. There's ALWAYS time for me andheduling/canceling is never a hassle. There's a therapist on call 24/7 and Amanda always makes time for me when I need it. The office is a lovely, calming place and I always feel comfortable and welcome. It makes getting better easy.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Amanda genuinely cares

★★★★★
Amanda helped/helps me is so so many ways. No matter what I come into the office with she helps me problem solve and always genuinely cares about what I have to say or about how I feel. I feel like I can come to her with anything and there will be no judgement. She always welcomes me with a smile and helps me dig deep in every session and I couldn't ask for a better support.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Perfect Therapist for My Child

★★★★★
Amanda Brooks has been a wonderful and supportive therapist for my child who was suffering from depression and anxiety. My child is very picky about who she trusts and Amanda has been the perfect therapist; she immediately put my child at ease and has been there for emotional support whenever we needed her help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Definitely Recommend

★★★★★
I have been very pleased with my experience at Thriveworks. Amanda has helped my children and I learn to deal with some major life issues. She has provided us with a listening ear and helpfulsolutions. She has helped us all develop skills to deal with life's ups and downs in a productive, positive way. I highly recommend her!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Shocked

★☆☆☆☆
Justin was very rude to us when he was the one who didn't listen and made aheduling error. He was inappropriate to me in front of my son. Wouldn't recommend.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Peace Keeper

★★★★★
Amanda Brooks has been such an excellent help to me throughout the past 2 1/2 years I've had her as my therapist. Ive been able to speak to her like I haven't even my closest friends. She's helped me to work through & over come many different obstacles, as well as past trauma in my lifetime & continues to help me find peace with my past, present & future. She's been my peace keeper through it all.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Life Changing

★★★★★
Justin Hall has changed my life and the way that I approach it. He has a way of helping one redirect behaviors and ideas in order to improve overall quality of life. I would recommend him to anyone who wants positive change in thinking.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Helped me out in a bad situation.

★★★★★
My work environment had become extremely difficult over the last 5 years. Justin helped me deal with a very dysfunctional system. Nothing has changes as far as circumstance, but my approach and thinking has changed. Things are much better. Very practical. Would recommend Justin to anyone looking for help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Excellent

★★★★★
My experience with Dr. Williams has been more than helpful. I initially came to her for couples counseling, but ended up seeing her one on one and finding my sanity again. My experience has been more than helpful. I highly recommend her.
See fewer reviews

Thriveworks Counseling

Videos

  • 10434 Jackson Oaks Way
    Knoxville, TN 37922

  • Mon-Fri:7:30AM-9PM
    Saturday:7AM-6PM
    Sunday:8AM-5PM

It’s Time to Start a Relationship with a Thriveworks Counselor

It’s not easy, but we’re extremely selective about the counselors, psychologists, and coaches that join our practice. Experience a provider with skill and passion for helping clients make meaningful advances in their lives, relationships, careers, and happiness.


Get Started Today!

Pin It on Pinterest