Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. Shanell Gladson, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Shanell's Psychiatry Care, LLC, in Peoria, Illinois, provides structured, CBT for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or emotional distress related to past trauma. Individuals seeking compassionate, trauma-focused care can contact Shanell's Psychiatry Care, LLC by calling the office or completing the online booking form.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals recover from the emotional and psychological impact of trauma. Trauma may include abuse, neglect, accidents, violence, loss, medical trauma, or other deeply distressing events.

CBT helps individuals understand how traumatic experiences influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through structured, evidence-based techniques, therapy supports emotional regulation, cognitive restructuring, and safe processing of traumatic memories. Treatment typically begins with building coping skills and establishing a sense of emotional safety before gradually addressing trauma-related thoughts and beliefs. 

Sessions are collaborative and paced thoughtfully, ensuring that individuals feel supported rather than overwhelmed during the healing process.

Who is a good candidate for trauma-focused CBT?

CBT may benefit individuals who:

• Have experienced a traumatic event
• Struggle with intrusive memories or flashbacks
• Experience anxiety, hypervigilance, or panic
• Avoid reminders of past trauma
• Have difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Feel persistent guilt, shame, or emotional numbness

This approach is helpful for those who want structured support while building coping skills at a manageable pace. It is especially beneficial for individuals who feel “stuck” in patterns of fear, self-blame, or avoidance related to past experiences.

What are the benefits of CBT?

CBT provides practical tools to help individuals regain a sense of control and emotional stability. Benefits may include:

• Reduced PTSD symptoms
• Improved emotional regulation
• Healthier coping strategies
• Decreased anxiety and depression
• Greater sense of safety and empowerment
• Improved daily functioning

Because the therapy is skills-based, individuals often continue using these tools long after treatment ends. Over time, many people experience increased confidence in managing triggers and responding to stress in healthier, more grounded ways.

When is CBT used?

CBT is commonly used when individuals experience symptoms related to:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Acute stress reactions
• Childhood trauma
• Domestic violence
• Grief and traumatic loss
• Medical or accident-related trauma

It may also be integrated with medication management when appropriate, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated mental health care.

Care is provided in a respectful, trauma-informed environment where safety, trust, and emotional readiness guide the pace of treatment. Shanell's Psychiatry Care, LLC offers compassionate, evidence-based CBT designed to promote healing, resilience, and long-term emotional wellness.

Call Shanell's Psychiatry Care, LLC today to schedule a CBT consultation or request an appointment through the online booking form.