Mental Health Blog: Anxiety, OCD & PTSD Resources
Practical, clinically informed articles on anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and evidence-based treatment from the psychologists at CABT in Bryn Mawr, PA. Our team writes for patients, families, and anyone looking to better understand their mental health — covering everything from how CBT and ERP work, to recognizing symptoms, to what to expect from therapy in the greater Philadelphia area.
Why Panic Attacks Feel So Scary and How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Helps You Reclaim Control
Panic attacks feel terrifying: racing heart, chest tightness, the feeling you might be dying. But they're false alarms. CABT explains what's actually happening and how CBT helps you break the cycle.
Faith or Fear: Understanding Scrupulosity OCD
If you constantly feel like you're not devout enough, not good enough, or one mistake away from being a bad person, scrupulosity OCD may be turning your own values against you. CABT therapist Steven Tsao explains what it is, how it shows up, and what actually helps.
Pride Month & PTSD Awareness
LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately affected by trauma — and significantly more likely to develop PTSD than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. CABT's clinicians explain why, what PTSD looks like in this community, and how evidence-based treatment can help.
Mother's Day Spotlight: Perinatal OCD
Intrusive thoughts about your baby are more common than you think — but when they become consuming and hard to control, it may be perinatal OCD. Dr. Shannon Murphy of CABT explains what perinatal OCD looks like, how it differs from normal new-parent anxiety, and what evidence-based treatment involves.
Anxiety Disorders & Women
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder during their lifetime, yet this gap is rarely talked about. CABT therapist Catherine Schuler breaks down the research on women and anxiety, and what evidence-based treatment looks like.
Understanding Intolerance of Uncertainty in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
If you can't stop asking "what if" and can't relax until you know exactly how things will turn out, you may be experiencing intolerance of uncertainty, one of the core drivers of generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. CABT's therapists explain what it is, how it shapes daily life, and what actually helps.
Trauma Exposure vs. PTSD: What's the Difference?
Most people who experience trauma do not develop PTSD, but the two are often confused. CABT psychologist Dr. Christina DiChiara explains the crucial difference between trauma exposure and PTSD, what natural recovery looks like, and when professional treatment is needed.
How CABT Therapists Use Therapy Skills in Their Own Lives
What happens when therapists actually practice what they preach? CABT's clinicians, including psychologists and therapists specializing in anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and emetophobia, share how they personally use therapy skills like mindfulness, radical acceptance, and exposure in their everyday lives.
Personal Spring Cleaning: Renewing Your Focus on Mental Health and Wellness
Spring is the perfect time to turn attention inward and refresh your commitment to mental health and wellness. Dr. Christina DiChiara shares five practical ways to embrace the season's spirit of renewal, from spending time in nature and practicing mindfulness to nurturing your body, cultivating gratitude, and knowing when to seek support.
How to Help a Loved One with Anxiety: Navigating Family Involvement and Accommodation
When a loved one struggles with anxiety or OCD, the instinct to help can sometimes make things harder, without anyone realizing it. This post breaks down the difference between supportive behavior and family accommodation, explains how well-intentioned responses can reinforce anxiety over time, and offers practical strategies for helping a loved one build resilience without colluding with their fear.
Demystifying Therapy: What Should I Expect for my first CBT Session?
Starting therapy can feel intimidating when you don't know what to expect. This post walks you through exactly what happens in a first CBT session at CABT, from the questions your therapist will ask to how treatment goals get set, so the first step feels a little less daunting.
Maintaining Therapy Gains: A Guide to Sustained Mental Health
Completing therapy is a major achievement, but the work doesn't stop when sessions end. This post covers how to hold onto the progress you made in CBT, what to do when anxiety or OCD symptoms start to creep back, and the strategies that make the difference between lasting recovery and starting over.
