CBT in Lexington, KY — structured, evidence-based therapy for anxiety, ADHD, depression, and trauma in children, adolescents, and adults.
CBT in Lexington, KY
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most researched and widely-supported forms of psychotherapy available. It works by helping clients understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and then systematically changing patterns that are causing distress or getting in the way of functioning.
People who search for cognitive behavioral therapy near me are usually looking for a structured approach with clear tools. At Twilight Psychology in Lexington, KY, CBT is offered with adaptation for age, neurodivergence, trauma history, and day-to-day functioning goals.
At Twilight Psychology in Lexington, CBT is offered across the lifespan, from school-age children through adults. Clinicians adapt CBT techniques to the individual — using a neuro-affirming lens for neurodivergent clients, a developmental lens for children and teens, and a skills-focused approach for adults who want practical tools alongside insight.
CBT therapy sessions are often covered by major commercial insurance plans, Kentucky Medicaid, and Medicare for eligible mental health diagnoses. Many clients use the same plan they carry for medical care.
What CBT can help with
Anxiety and worry
CBT is the most evidence-supported treatment for anxiety disorders, helping clients identify and restructure the thought patterns that sustain excessive worry, fear, and avoidance.
ADHD and executive functioning
CBT adapted for ADHD targets procrastination, emotional dysregulation, planning difficulties, and the self-critical narratives that often accompany a late or missed diagnosis.
Depression
Behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring interrupt the withdrawal and negative thinking cycles that maintain depressive episodes in adolescents and adults.
Autism and neurodivergence
Neuro-affirming CBT adapted for autistic clients focuses on distress tolerance and self-advocacy rather than masking — a meaningful distinction from traditional CBT protocols.
Trauma and PTSD
Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) and related approaches address intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and the cognitive distortions that follow adverse experiences.
OCD and repetitive behaviors
Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a CBT-based protocol, is the gold-standard treatment for OCD and related conditions involving compulsive patterns.
How CBT therapy is structured
- 1
Assessment and goal-setting
The first sessions establish the presenting concerns, identify specific goals, and build an understanding of the thought and behavior patterns most relevant to treatment.
- 2
Learning the CBT framework
Clients learn to recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — the foundation that makes the rest of CBT work. Psychoeducation is woven throughout.
- 3
Skill-building and practice
Cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and targeted skill work are applied session by session, with between-session practice accelerating progress.
- 4
Consolidation and relapse prevention
Later sessions focus on applying gains to real-life situations, anticipating future triggers, and building confidence in independent use of learned skills.
CBT clinicians at Twilight Psychology
Ethan Puckett, M.A., T-LPA uses Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques with children and adolescents ages 3–18 (ideal fit ages 7–16). He specializes in ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and school-based concerns, and has immediate availability for therapy in Lexington, KY.
Elise Van Meter, M.A., T-LPA provides evidence-based CBT for adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, attention deficits, relationship issues, and neurodivergent support. She has immediate availability for therapy in Kentucky.
Michael Burns, PhD, T-LP, LPCC uses CBT alongside Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and motivational interviewing across a broad range of presentations — including substance use disorders, domestic violence recovery, trauma, PTSD, and faith-integrated counseling. He works with adolescents and adults.
CBT for neurodivergent clients
Standard CBT protocols were developed primarily for neurotypical presentations and can feel rigid, prescriptive, or poorly matched to the sensory, executive, and social profiles of autistic or ADHD clients. At Twilight Psychology, CBT is delivered through a neuro-affirming lens — meaning the goal is never to eliminate difference, but to reduce genuine distress and build genuine capacity.
For ADHD, this often means adapting session structure, pacing, and homework formats to fit attention and working memory profiles. For autism, it means working with the client's natural communication style and ensuring that cognitive reframes don't inadvertently pressure masking or conformity.
Start CBT therapy in Lexington, KY
CBT therapy is available now for children, teens, and adults at Twilight Psychology in Lexington. Use the new client guide or request an intake to get started.