A Different Approach to Therapy
When people consider going to therapy, they often have thoughts of endless sessions diving into childhood memories. However, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) takes a distinctly different approach.
Instead of getting lost in the past, CBT focuses on what's happening right now—your current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—and gives you practical tools to change patterns that aren't serving you well.
The beauty of CBT lies in its straightforward premise: the way we think directly affects how we feel and what we do. If you're constantly telling yourself, "I'm not good enough," that thought will likely make you feel discouraged and might lead you to avoid challenging situations.
CBT helps you recognize mental patterns and teaches you how to shift them toward something more balanced and helpful
How CBT Actually Works
Dr. Aaron Beck developed CBT in the 1960s, and since then, researchers have subjected it to rigorous testing. What they've found is pretty remarkable—CBT consistently helps those who struggle with various types of mental health challenges. People typically notice improvement within 12 to 20 sessions.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT takes the core principles of CBT and applies them specifically to trauma. Throughout 12 sessions, people learn to identify the distorted thoughts that trauma often creates and gradually replace them with more accurate, balanced perspectives.
Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
Sometimes, talking about trauma can feel too overwhelming. WET offers an alternative through writing detailed accounts of traumatic experiences over five 30-minute sessions, with solid science behind why writing helps.
Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT)
Trauma doesn't just affect individuals—it impacts relationships too. CBCT includes both partners in the healing process, combining individual trauma work with couples therapy techniques.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
PE tackles the avoidance that often keeps trauma symptoms alive. Through gradual exposure to safe situations and repeatedly processing traumatic experiences, memories lose their emotional intensity.
Military Trauma Specialist
Dr. Riggins has extensive experience with military personnel and veterans, understanding unique challenges like combat exposure, survivor's guilt, and military sexual trauma (MST).
Telehealth Therapy
Online CBT therapy offers convenience, accessibility, and comfort. Research shows online therapy works just as well as in-person sessions, with comparable outcomes and therapeutic relationships.
Meet Dr. Reginald K. Riggins
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Serving 40 States via Telehealth
Dr. Riggins brings more than a decade of experience to trauma-focused therapy. His background tells a story of dedication to helping others heal from life's most difficult experiences.
Growing up with a single mother in Chicago's Englewood community shaped his perspective on overcoming challenges. As he puts it, his approach to lasting change centers on "honest dialogue and skill acquisition using evidence-based treatments."
As a Black psychologist, Dr. Riggins brings cultural awareness to his practice, understanding the unique social pressures and challenges that people of color face and incorporating this understanding into treatment approaches.
Professional Background
- Former PTSD psychologist at Department of Veterans Affairs
- Over 10 years specializing in trauma-focused therapy
- Licensed across 40 states through PSYPACT
- Extensive training in CPT, PE, WET, and CBCT
- Specialized in military trauma and MST
- Cultural sensitivity and diverse community understanding
What CBT Therapy Looks Like
Understanding Your Unique Situation
When you start working with Dr. Riggins, the process begins with understanding your unique situation. Those first few sessions involve getting a clear picture of what's bringing you to therapy, what your goals are, and what your mental health history looks like.
Collaborative Goal-Setting
Rather than having treatment goals imposed on you, you and Dr. Riggins work together to identify specific, achievable objectives. This might be reducing nightmares, improving communication with your partner, or learning to manage anxiety in social situations.
Skill-Building Phase
You'll learn techniques like cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and relaxation techniques. Between sessions, you'll have practical exercises that help you apply what you're learning in real life.
The Evidence Behind CBT
The research supporting CBT is extensive and compelling. Thousands of studies have examined its effectiveness across various mental health conditions, and the results consistently show significant improvement rates.
Dr. Riggins' extensive experience with these evidence-based treatments means you're getting approaches that have been rigorously tested and proven effective.
Beyond Symptom Reduction
The goal of CBT extends far beyond just reducing symptoms. The real aim is to equip you with a toolbox that contains skills and strategies that could serve you for the rest of your life.
Taking the Next Step
If you're ready to find out more about how CBT might help you, reaching out to Dr. Riggins could be your first step toward meaningful change. Remember, seeking help isn't a sign of weakness—it's a sign of wisdom.
Phone
(713) 487-5574
drriggins@protonmail.com
Service Area
40 States via Telehealth
@dr.reginald.riggins
