Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Identifying distorted thoughs related with OCD and Doing Course correction in Cognitive Restructuring Process.
CBT Therapy for Children at Mindsight Manager: Helping Young Minds Heal and Grow
Every parent wants to see their child happy, confident, and thriving. But sometimes, life gets complicated even for little minds. You might notice your child worrying too much, getting angry easily, withdrawing from others, or struggling to concentrate. You try to reassure them, to motivate them, to remind them that everything will be fine but somewhere deep inside, you can sense that your child isn’t just being “moody.” They’re struggling to make sense of thoughts and feelings that feel too big for them to handle.
At Mindsight, led by Punit Dixit, an experienced and empathetic child psychologist, we understand that children don’t always have the words to express what’s happening inside them. That’s where Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) comes in a practical, evidence-based, and child-friendly approach that helps young minds untangle their worries, fears, and frustrations in a safe and structured way.
What CBT Really Means for Children
At its heart, CBT is about helping children understand one powerful truth: the way we think affects how we feel and what we do. When children learn to recognize and reshape their thoughts, they also change how they respond to life’s challenges.
For instance, a child who keeps thinking, “I’m bad at school” may start feeling hopeless and give up easily. CBT helps that child notice this thought, challenge it gently, and replace it with something more balanced like, “I can improve with help and practice.” Slowly, confidence builds, motivation returns, and anxiety fades.
In simple terms, CBT teaches children to become detectives of their own mind identifying unhelpful thoughts and discovering better, kinder ways to think
How CBT Sessions Work at Mindsight
At Mindsight, we’ve adapted CBT to suit the way children naturally learn through stories, play, and imagination. Therapy with Punit Dixit is not about sitting in silence or answering serious questions. It’s about making children feel safe, curious, and in control of their feelings.
Here’s what happens inside a typical CBT journey at Mindsight:
Building Trust and Comfort:
The first few sessions are all about connection. Children meet Punit in a space that feels warm and non-judgmental. They play, draw, or talk whichever helps them open up.Understanding Thoughts and Feelings:
Using drawings, games, or child-friendly metaphors, children learn how thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. A popular exercise is the “Thought-Feeling-Action Triangle,” which helps them visualize how one thought can create a whole emotional chain reaction.Identifying Triggers:
Children are gently guided to recognize what situations make them feel worried, sad, angry, or scared. For example, a child afraid of school might realize it’s not the classroom but the fear of being judged by others that triggers their anxiety.Reframing and Problem-Solving:
Once the child begins recognizing unhelpful thought patterns, therapy introduces new, realistic ways of thinking. They learn to ask themselves: Is this thought true? Is there another way to look at it? What can I do to feel better right now?Practicing Skills in Real Life:
Each week, children try small, achievable steps outside therapy like raising their hand in class, going to a social event, or managing frustration during homework. These victories, though small, build powerful confidence
Non-Medication-Based Recovery
Focus on therapy, skill-building, and emotional regulation.
Child-Centered Approach
Programs specially designed for children & adolescents.
Led by Punit Dixit
Experienced OCD Psychologist with years of expertise in pediatric OCD.
Parental Involvement
Active participation and guidance for families throughout the journey.
The Parent’s Role
CBT for children isn’t done to the child it’s done with the family. Parents play a crucial role at every step. At Mindsight, Punit Dixit includes parents in the process through short feedback sessions, guidance on how to reinforce progress at home, and advice on how to respond when a child struggles.
Many parents are relieved to discover that they don’t have to “fix” their child they simply need to model calmness, encourage progress, and listen without judgment.
As one parent once shared after therapy,
“I realized my child didn’t need perfect answers from me. He just needed me to understand his fears without dismissing them.”
What CBT Can Help With
CBT at Mindsight has helped hundreds of children manage a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges, including:
Anxiety and panic
Phobias and exam stress
Anger management
OCD and repetitive behaviours
Depression or sadness
Low self-esteem
Social and peer-related issues
School avoidance or academic fears
CBT doesn’t just help reduce symptoms it teaches life-long emotional skills. A child who learns CBT early grows into an adult who knows how to manage stress, challenge negative thoughts, and stay emotionally balanced.
What Makes Mindsight Different
While CBT is a structured therapy, it becomes truly powerful when delivered with empathy and creativity. That’s where Mindsight’s approach, led by Punit Dixit, stands out. Each session is personalized to match the child’s age, personality, and comfort level. Play-based CBT, story-building, visual aids, and role-play exercises make therapy feel less like “treatment” and more like discovery.
Parents are never left out of the process. From understanding progress to learning emotional communication techniques, they are treated as partners in their child’s healing journey.
A Gentle, Hopeful Story
Imagine a 10-year-old girl named Ananya who dreaded going to school. Every morning, her stomach hurt. She cried, clung to her mother, and begged to stay home. Her parents tried reasoning, rewarding, even scolding nothing worked.
At Mindsight, during her CBT sessions, Ananya learned that her “stomach pain” wasn’t from illness it was her body’s way of reacting to anxiety. Through small steps, role-play, and relaxation techniques, she began to face her fears. Her mother learned how to reassure her without overreacting. Within weeks, the morning tears faded. Today, Ananya walks to school with her head high and a smile on her face.
This is what CBT can do not by changing who the child is, but by helping them rediscover the strength they already have.
A Parent’s Takeaway
If your child worries too much, reacts too quickly, or struggles to manage emotions, CBT could be the turning point. It’s not about labelling or medicating it’s about teaching coping tools that work for life.
At Mindsight, every therapy session is a safe space where children feel heard, parents feel supported, and progress happens at a pace that feels natural and kind.
“The goal of CBT isn’t to erase emotions, it’s to help children understand that feelings are visitors, not rulers.”
With care, patience, and professional guidance, even the most overwhelmed child can learn calmness, courage, and confidence again.
Our Counselling Services
Explore more of our Services
Psychologists employ a variety of research methods, clinical techniques.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention therapy)
Identifying fear situation and thoughts and giving gradad exposure to enable and face fear.
ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy)
ACT is an effective treatment for OCD that focuses on building psychological flexibility by accepting unwanted thoughts and urges rather than fighting them.
Help Your Child Break Free from OCD - Without Medication
Trusted by 1k+ Parents
Mindsight Manager is India’s first online platform dedicated to child-focused OCD recovery. We use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) – the world’s most trusted, non-medication treatments for OCD – guided by compassionate, trained child psychologists.
“CBT sessions at Mindsight Manager changed how our son thinks and feels – all without medicines.”
Frequently asked Questions
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team or write us an email at info@mindsightmanager.com
What are the warning signs of OCD in my teenager, and when should I seek professional help?
Look for excessive, upsetting obsessions (unwanted thoughts/images) and rigid compulsions (rituals like repeated checking or washing) that take up significant time or cause distress.
How do I know if my teen's excessive screen time is actually a technology addiction?
It crosses the line when the screen use is out of control (inability to stop or cut back) and actively causes problems like poor grades, sleep disruption, or social isolation. We provide counseling to help adolescents and families establish healthy boundaries and address any underlying anxiety driving the excess screen use.
What kind of therapy is most effective for teen anxiety, and what does treatment involve?
The most effective treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focused on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Treatment involves: 1) Skill building (coping techniques), 2) Exposure work (safely facing fears), and 3) Parent guidance on how to best support your teen.
How do I talk to my teenager about seeing a psychologist without making them resistant?
Approach it as a way to gain “life skills” or a “coach” for managing stress and worry. Focus on the benefits to them and give them a voice in the process. We prioritize building a trusting, non-judgmental, and confidential space where teens feel respected and motivated to participate.
Do you treat co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety alongside addiction or depression?
Yes. We take a holistic approach to co-occurring issues (dual diagnosis). Since anxiety or depression often drive substance use, we create a single, integrated, and personalized treatment plan that addresses both the primary addiction and all underlying mental health concerns simultaneously.