Welcome to the Center for Cognitive Therapy web site. It has been deeply gratifying for me to teach and implement such an effective form of psychotherapy, developed by Aaron T. Beck, M.D., that has helped so many who struggle with the challenges that are an inevitable part of life. I am also grateful to Christine A. Padesky, Ph.D. for the excellent training I received in Cognitive Therapy early in my career. I personally invite you to learn more about this approach that I hope will be a useful key to unlocking doors that are currently blocking your path towards happiness and fulfillment.

Cognitive Therapy is a therapeutic orientation that is based upon the premise that what we think influences how we feel, behave, and react physiologically to our environment. Over the last several decades, scientific research and clinical data have identified specific cognitive inaccuracies that underlie the various emotional difficulties we commonly experience. Cognitive Therapy essentially involves the pursuit of accurate thinking by learning a process to identify these inaccurate thoughts and then utilizing tools for changing them to more accurate beliefs that produce emotional relief and more productive behavioral strategies. These specific skills are learned in the context of a time-limited, supportive and collaborative relationship with your therapist. Decades of scientific research results from controlled clinical trials have provided consistent support for the effectiveness of this approach, usually within a 12 to 16 week format. I invite you to explore those areas of this website that apply to your current concerns and to contact us if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,
Mark E. Oakley, Ph.D.
Director and Founder, Center for Cognitive Therapy

Full Clinical Professor
UCLA, Department of Psychology


Schedule an appointment