CBT Therapy for Trauma Anxiety and Addiction at The Well

Complicated past. High stress work. Sleepless nights. Numbing out just to get through the day.

If you are a veteran, active duty, law enforcement officer, firefighter, medic, nurse, dispatcher, or family member, you carry more than most people will ever see.

At The Well Counseling & Consultation PLLC, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, to help you Embrace the Suck, face what is hard, and get your life back in line with your values.

What CBT Is in Simple Terms

CBT focuses on the link between

• What you think
• What you feel
• What you do

Thoughts influence emotions.
Emotions influence actions.
Actions reinforce thoughts.

In CBT we slow this down, notice the patterns, and learn how to change them so you are not stuck in the same loop.

Why CBT Fits Veterans and First Responders

Your world runs on

• Clear plans
• Practical tools
• Direct feedback
• Working a mission

CBT matches that culture. It is

• Structured and goal focused
• Skills based and action oriented
• Measurable so you can see progress

You bring discipline and grit. I help you aim that toward your mental and emotional health.

CBT for Trauma Anxiety and Numbing

Trauma

Trauma may show up as

• Intrusive memories and images
• Nightmares and poor sleep
• Feeling on edge or angry
• Constant scanning for threats
• Numbness and pulling away from people you love

With CBT for trauma we

• Understand how your brain and body respond
• Notice trauma driven thoughts
• Challenge guilt and self blame
• Gradually face avoided memories and places in a safe way
• Rebuild meaning and identity after what you have been through

The goal is not to erase what happened, but to help you carry it differently.

Anxiety

Anxiety often looks like

• Racing thoughts and worst case thinking
• Trouble sleeping because your brain will not shut off
• Tight chest, stomach issues, shallow breathing
• Overthinking every decision

CBT helps you

• Catch anxious thought patterns
• Test them against facts
• Practice new responses instead of avoidance or shutdown
• Use grounding and breathing to calm the body
• Build routines that support sleep, focus, and resilience

You learn that anxiety is an alarm system that can be reset.

Addiction and Numbing

Many people in your world use

• Alcohol or pills
• Overworking
• Gaming, social media, or constant distraction

to take the edge off. It makes sense, but over time it costs you.

With CBT we

• Map your triggers
• Understand the thoughts that show up
• Look at short term relief and long term cost
• Build a realistic toolkit of other coping skills
• Line your choices back up with your values

We work with honesty and respect, not shame.

What Sessions Look Like at The Well

Sessions are

• Collaborative we choose the focus together
• Structured but flexible there is a plan and room for what is happening this week
• Skills focused you leave with tools to use on shift, at home, or off duty

A typical CBT session may include

• Brief check in
• Review of any practice from the week
• Work on one or two key thought and behavior patterns
• Practice of a new skill
• Clear plan for what to try before the next session

I am a Marine Corps veteran and former police officer, now a trauma informed counselor. You do not have to explain the basics of your world.

Who I Work With

CBT at The Well is a strong fit for

• Active duty and veterans
• Law enforcement, corrections, border work, public safety
• Fire service, EMS, flight crews, emergency medical staff
• Emergency room nurses and hospital staff
• Dispatchers and call takers
• Spouses and family who live with someone in these roles

You do not have to wait until everything falls apart.

Embrace the Suck and CBT

Embrace the Suck means we stop running, face what is real, and build strength in the middle of the storm.

CBT gives us the roadmap to

• Name what is not working
• Understand how trauma, anxiety, or addiction affect you
• Challenge beliefs that keep you stuck
• Practice new ways of thinking and responding
• Build a life that reflects your values, not just your history

You are not broken. You adapted to hard things. CBT helps those adaptations fit where you are now.

Common Questions

Do I have to talk about everything right away
No. You stay in control of what you share and when. We start with safety and stability.

Is CBT just positive thinking
No. It is realistic thinking. We look at the facts and adjust thoughts that are harsh, distorted, or unhelpful.

Can CBT be done online
Yes. I offer secure online sessions across Texas and limited in person options in South Texas.

Ready to Take the Next Step

If you are tired of white knuckling it on your own, CBT can give you structure, tools, and support.

• Email: Jasonmw@thewellcounselingtx.com
• Call or text: (210) 830 1173

You can also ask about a brief consultation to see if CBT at The Well is a good fit for you or your family member.