CBT and Self-Compassion: Taking Back Control from Anxiety with Judy Belmont

May 5, 2025

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CBT and Self-Compassion: Taking Back Control from Anxiety with Judy Belmont

What if anxiety didn’t have to run your life—and what if the way out started with how you speak to yourself?

In this episode of Encountering, I sit down with author and therapist Judy Belmont, whose work on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has helped thousands take back control from anxiety, negative thought patterns, and self-doubt. We explore how everyday self-talk shapes our emotions, why self-compassion is at the heart of mental wellness, and how CBT offers life-changing tools for parents, educators, and anyone navigating uncertainty.

Whether you're new to CBT or looking for practical strategies to use in your personal or professional life, this conversation offers a powerful, accessible starting point.

Keywords:
CBT for anxiety, self-compassion, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health tools, growth mindset, coping with anxiety, how to reframe thoughts, emotional regulation, psychological ABCs, trauma and healing, mental health for teachers and parents, Judy Belmont

Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Why CBT still matters
01:40 – Judy’s journey as a therapist and author
03:10 – What is CBT, really?
05:45 – All-or-nothing thinking and cognitive distortions
08:12 – The power of “now”: CBT and mindfulness
10:30 – Neuroplasticity and the hope of change
13:20 – Growth mindset in everyday life
15:00 – Self-compassion as the foundation
17:40 – CBT in social media and self-worth
21:00 – Embracing the journey, not the goalpost
23:30 – Can laypeople use CBT effectively?
26:00 – The psychological ABCs: A tool for everyone
29:00 – Real-life classroom CBT strategies
31:00 – Final reflections: CBT as self-empowerment

Listen if you’re looking to:
• Understand how thoughts shape emotions
• Learn CBT tools to reduce anxiety
• Support students, children, or clients through stress
• Develop a growth mindset and build emotional resilience
• Find connection in your own healing and self-talk

Subscribe to Encountering for conversations on connection, mental health, and how we care for ourselves and others.

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Please note that the contents of this website are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My scope of practice is as an educator, and this work is intended to provide information for educational purposes only. Testimonials of lived experiences are opinion only and have not been scientifically evaluated.