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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy · Santa Monica, CA

CBT Therapist in Santa Monica

Dr. Janeen Locker is a licensed clinical psychologist and CBT therapist serving Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area. She offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, and adolescent mental health — integrated with other evidence-based approaches for a fully personalized treatment plan.

3101 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 304, Santa Monica, CA
Free initial phone consultation
30+ years of clinical experience
What Is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — how it works

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched and widely practiced forms of psychotherapy in the world. It is based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected — and that changing unhelpful thought patterns can produce lasting improvements in how we feel and act.

Unlike some forms of therapy that focus primarily on the past, CBT is largely present-focused. It is structured and goal-oriented, with measurable progress and a clear endpoint in mind. Sessions typically involve identifying and examining automatic thoughts, challenging distorted beliefs, and practicing new ways of responding to difficult situations.

Dr. Locker uses CBT as one tool within a broader integrative approach — often combining it with psychodynamic exploration, DBT skills, EMDR for trauma, and clinical hypnosis to create a treatment plan that addresses the whole person, not just presenting symptoms.

CBT versus other therapies

Understanding how CBT differs can help you decide if it's right for you.

CBT vs. Psychodynamic therapy
CBT focuses on present thoughts and behaviors; psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape the present. Dr. Locker often integrates both.
CBT vs. DBT
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a specialized form of CBT developed specifically for emotional dysregulation and personality disorders. Dr. Locker is skilled in both.
CBT vs. EMDR
EMDR processes traumatic memories directly through bilateral stimulation; CBT addresses the thought patterns and beliefs that arise from those experiences. They often work well together.
Areas of Treatment

Conditions Dr. Locker treats with CBT in Santa Monica

CBT has among the strongest evidence bases of any psychological treatment. Here are the areas where Dr. Locker applies CBT within her practice.

Depression

Identifying and restructuring the negative automatic thoughts and behavioral patterns that maintain depressive episodes.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias — through cognitive restructuring and gradual exposure.

Eating Disorders

CBT is a first-line treatment for bulimia and binge eating disorder, and is used as part of comprehensive treatment for anorexia.

Eating disorder treatment
Personality Disorders

DBT — a specialized form of CBT — is the gold standard treatment for BPD and related presentations involving emotional dysregulation.

Adolescent Mental Health

CBT is highly effective for teenagers with depression, anxiety, school refusal, and social difficulties — with age-appropriate techniques.

Stress Management

Building resilience and practical coping skills for high-stress life situations — professional, relational, and health-related.

Dr. Locker's Approach to CBT

CBT, integrated with deeper clinical expertise

Dr. Locker does not practice CBT in isolation. Her Yale-trained background in psychodynamic therapy, her EMDR certification, and her DBT expertise allow her to weave modalities together — giving each patient exactly what their situation calls for.

01
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identifying and restructuring automatic thoughts, core beliefs, and behavioral patterns that drive emotional distress.
02
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — particularly for eating disorders and personality disorders.
03
Psychodynamic Therapy
Exploring the deeper relational patterns and early experiences that shaped the beliefs CBT is working to change — for a more lasting result.
04
EMDR Therapy
When trauma underlies the presenting concern, EMDR processes the root material directly — clearing the ground for CBT to be more effective.
Trauma therapy page
05
Clinical Hypnosis
Accessing deeper states of awareness to accelerate change and reinforce new beliefs — used as a complement to CBT where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CBT therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. It is structured, goal-oriented, and one of the most researched forms of therapy, with strong evidence for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and many other conditions.

CBT has strong research support for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, and adolescent mental health concerns. Dr. Locker integrates CBT with other approaches such as DBT, psychodynamic therapy, and EMDR to create individualized treatment plans.

CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present — rather than exploring the distant past at length. It is typically more structured and shorter-term than psychodynamic therapy, with clear goals and measurable progress. Dr. Locker often integrates CBT with deeper exploratory approaches for a more comprehensive treatment.

Many people begin to notice improvement within 8 to 16 sessions for focused concerns. Complex or longstanding difficulties may require longer treatment. Dr. Locker works collaboratively to set goals and review progress, adjusting the approach as needed.

Yes. Dr. Janeen Locker provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at her practice located at 3101 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 304, Santa Monica, CA 90405. She offers a free initial phone consultation — call +1 (310) 850-3933 to get started.

Dr. Locker does not accept insurance directly, but will provide a superbill upon request that you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. It's worth calling your insurer to ask about your out-of-network benefits before your first session.

Ready to start CBT therapy in Santa Monica?

Dr. Locker does not charge potential patients who call to ask about her services. Your first conversation is free.

Schedule a Free Consultation