MEET A-CBT TRAINER: LESLIE SOKOL

 

Leslie Sokol, PhD, a licensed psychologist, is an internationally recognized leader in the field of cognitive behavioral therapy with almost 40 years of experience in practice, teaching, and research.


She was a past Director of Education and one of the principal instructors at the internationally acclaimed Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She is one of the leading CBT speakers in the world providing teaching and training to professional and paraprofessional groups, both nationally and internationally, on a multitude of CBT topics. 

 

 

A Valued Member of the CBT Community,

 

 

Dr. Sokol is a distinguished founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, past president, and current Chairman of it's Credentialing Committee. She is a fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and the President-Elect of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACBT). Dr. Sokol also served as a Chairman of Behavioral Science for the Mercy Suburban Hospital Family Practice Training Program for over 20 years.


Dr. Sokol has co-authored numerous books and book chapters. Her most current books are: 'The Ultimate CBT Workbook', 'The Comprehensive Clinician's Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy', 'Teaching and Supervising Cognitive Behavioral Therapy', 'Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens: A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem', 'Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem', and 'The Think Confident, Be Confident Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Create Unshakable Self-Confidence and Reach Your Goals'. She maintains a private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Highlighting Mental Imagery in CBT

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By Professor Emily A Holmes Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Sweden School of Psychology, University of Southampton, UK

CBT in the Arab World: Cultivating Learning, Practice, and Transformation

December 15, 2025
A Personal and Professional Journey  My initial encounter with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was simply an academic exploration of one therapeutic approach among many. However, this academic interest quickly evolved into a profound personal and professional calling, powerfully shaping my career and ultimately sparking a movement for psychotherapy education across the Arab world. During my second year of university, I was introduced to CBT. At the time, I was deeply drawn to Carl Rogers and the humanistic tradition, with its emphasis on empathy, relational depth, and the inherent potential for growth. Yet, Aaron Beck’s cognitive model, with its elegant and practical connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, resonated deeply within me. I recognized it not merely as a theory, but as a practical tool for living, something that could be applied, shared, and taught.

Dr. Lata McGinn Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award in CBT

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On November 20th, 2025 Dr. Lata McGinn was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (A-CBT) at the Awards ceremony held at the ABCT annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.