Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence their behaviors. It is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including phobias, addiction, depression, and anxiety.

2. How does CBT work?

CBT works by helping individuals identify and change distorted thought patterns that can lead to negative feelings, behaviors, and actions. By understanding these patterns, individuals can respond to challenging situations more effectively.

3. What is CBT journaling?

CBT journaling is a therapeutic exercise that involves writing down thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to better understand how they're connected. This can help in identifying patterns, triggers, and ways to mitigate negative reactions.

4. How can I start with CBT journaling?

To start CBT journaling, begin by noting down situations that upset you. Write the situation, your thoughts during the situation, the emotions you felt, and your reaction or behavior. Review these notes to identify patterns or distorted thought processes.

5. How effective is CBT?

Many research studies have shown CBT to be a very effective form of treatment for a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. It's considered to be as effective, or in some cases, even more effective than other forms of therapy or medication.

6. What are some common CBT techniques used in journaling?

Some common CBT techniques used in journaling include thought records, behavioral experiments, and cognitive restructuring. These are strategies that help to identify and challenge automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions.

7. Can I do CBT journaling on my own?

While you can start CBT journaling on your own, it's typically more beneficial when guided by a trained therapist, at least in the initial stages. They can provide feedback and guide you through the process more effectively.

8. Can CBT be harmful?

As with any therapeutic intervention, there can be potential risks. However, CBT is generally considered safe. If you have severe mental health disorders or a history of trauma, it's advisable to seek professional guidance to ensure CBT is the right approach for you.

9. How long does CBT treatment usually last?

CBT treatment typically lasts for a relatively short period, often between 6 to 20 sessions. The duration of the therapy can vary depending on the individual's unique needs and the nature of the problem.

10. Does CBT have a lasting effect?

Yes, the effects of CBT can be lasting. The goal of CBT is to teach individuals skills and strategies that they can continue to apply throughout their lives, long after the treatment has ended. However, like any skill, these strategies must be practiced and maintained to remain effective.

11. Can Umbrella Journal substitute for traditional face-to-face therapy?

The professionals who work on Umbrella Journal are licensed and credentialed therapists who were certified by their state's board to provide therapy. However, while the service may have similar benefits, it's not capable of substituting for traditional face-to-face therapy in every case.

12. How long can I use Umbrella Journal?

This depends on your needs and varies a lot from one person to another. Some people feel they get most of the value after just a few weeks, while others prefer to stick to the program for an extended period of time. This is completely up to you.

13. How can I be sure that this is an effective form of therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been extensively researched and has shown effectiveness in numerous scientific studies for a variety of disorders and psychological issues. Its efficacy is well-documented in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and many others. The structure of CBT allows for measurable changes, and the therapy is typically designed to be short-term, making it easier to evaluate its effectiveness. You can read more about this on the American Psychological Association's webpage on CBT.

However, the effectiveness of any therapy can depend on individual factors, including the specific problem or disorder, the person's willingness and motivation to participate, and the relationship between the therapist and the client. It's important to have open conversations with your healthcare provider or therapist about your treatment plan and progress.

Also, it's crucial to note that while CBT works for many, it does not work for everyone, and it is not the only therapeutic approach available. If you find that it's not helpful, or if you're not comfortable with it, there are many other types of therapy that might be a better fit. It's important to work with a health professional to find the best approach for you. Additional resources can be found on the National Institute of Mental Health's page on psychotherapies.

14. Remember, while CBT and CBT journaling can be effective tools, they are not replacements for professional help when needed. Always consult with a mental health professional if you're struggling with mental health issues.
Purchasing a Monthly Subscription Through the App Store (iOS) for Umbrella Journal:
  1. Download the Umbrella Journal app from the Apple App Store.
  2. Open the app and tap on a locked item to begin your free trial. Follow the instructions provided on the page.
  3. Once your free trial is active, go back to the Umbrella Journal app's home screen.
  4. To prevent automatic charging for a yearly subscription at the end of the free trial, you need to cancel the trial. Here's how:
    1. Tap the 'Profile' button on the home screen.
    2. Select the 'Settings' icon located in the upper left corner.
    3. In the 'Settings' menu, tap on 'Manage Subscription'.
    4. On the subscription management page, tap the word 'here'. If you don't see these menu options, ensure that your app is updated to version 4.2 or higher.
    5. You will be redirected to your phone's App Store account settings.
    6. Locate the Umbrella Journal subscription and choose the option to cancel. If you have any difficulties finding this spot in settings, refer to the instructions provided by Umbrella Journal.
  5. After the trial period ends (usually after 7 days), the premium content within the Umbrella Journal app will become locked. To unlock it, follow these steps:
    1. Tap on a locked item in the app.
    2. A page with subscription options will appear, and the monthly subscription will be on the far left.
    3. Tap on the monthly subscription icon to begin your monthly subscription.
  6. Complete the subscription process by following any additional instructions or prompts provided by Umbrella Journal and the App Store.
  7. Once your monthly subscription is active, you'll have access to all the premium content within the Umbrella Journal app for the duration of your subscription.
Purchasing a Monthly Subscription Through Google Play (Android) for Umbrella Journal:
  1. Begin your free trial through the Umbrella Journal app by tapping on a locked item and following the instructions provided on the page.
  2. Once your free trial is active, go back to the Umbrella Journal app's home screen.
  3. To prevent automatic charging for a yearly subscription at the end of the free trial, you need to cancel the trial. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Tap the 'Profile' button on the home screen.
    2. Then tap the 'Settings' option located in the upper left corner.
    3. In the 'Settings' menu, tap on 'Manage Subscription'.
    4. On the subscription management page, tap the word 'here'. If you don't see these menu options, make sure your app is updated to version 4.0 or higher.
    5. You will be redirected to your phone's Google Play subscription settings.
    6. Locate the Umbrella Journal subscription and choose the option to cancel. If you encounter any difficulties canceling or finding this spot in settings, please refer to the instructions provided by Umbrella Journal.
  4. After the trial period ends (usually after 7 days), the premium content within the Umbrella Journal app will become locked. To unlock it, follow these steps:
    • Tap on a locked item in the app.
    • A page with subscription options will appear, and the monthly subscription will be on the far left.
    • Tap on the monthly subscription icon to begin your monthly subscription.
  5. Complete the subscription process by following any additional instructions or prompts provided by Umbrella Journal and the Google Play Store.
  6. Once your monthly subscription is active, you will have access to all the premium content within the Umbrella Journal app for the duration of your subscription.
Here are the steps for purchasing a yearly subscription for Umbrella Journal:
  1. To purchase a yearly premium subscription, which includes a 1-week free trial, visit the subscription page or follow the link provided to the Lifetime membership option.
  2. If you're interested in an Umbrella Journal Premium Family Plan, you can purchase it separately. Please note that Umbrella Journal Premium Family Plans do not come with a free trial.
  3. Alternatively, you can start a free trial and make an in-app subscription purchase through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Simply tap on one of the locked meditations within the app to initiate the process. After completing the free trial of Umbrella Journal Premium, you will be charged for an annual subscription.
  4. If you wish to purchase a 1-year subscription as a gift for a friend, you can do so by following the provided link or visiting the designated gift purchase page.
  5. It's important to note that subscription purchases made via Apple's App Store cannot be modified or directly refunded by Umbrella Journal. For more information on Apple App Store subscriptions, refer to the provided link.
Purchasing a Lifetime Membership for Umbrella Journal:

Lifetime access to Umbrella Journal may be purchased at any time.

If you currently have a subscription to Umbrella Journal, please follow these directions for canceling your subscription. Please note: purchasing a lifetime subscription will not necessarily cancel the auto-renewal of a current subscription, so be sure to complete these steps to avoid extraneous charges.

Subscribed via the Apple App Store and Google Play:

If you have a current subscription through the App Store or Google Play, you will need to cancel your current subscription's auto-renewal to ensure you are not charged again. Here are instructions for doing so:

  1. Go to the "Manage Subscription" option on the Settings page in the Umbrella Journal app by tapping "Profile" on the main page, followed by the gear icon in the upper left corner.
  2. Tap the "Manage Subscription" option.
  3. Follow the instructions there to turn off your auto-renew settings so you will not be charged again for the yearly subscription.
  4. If you get stuck, you can see more details in our support article here.

How Subscriptions Are Billed

Subscriptions are billed to the payment method provided when the subscription is activated and are set to automatically renew at the end of each billing period, either annually or monthly.

Our annual subscriptions, including our Umbrella Journal Premium Family Plans, are billed as one up-front payment + applicable tax for the full year at the time of subscribing.

If you purchase a Lifetime Membership, you will be charged a single payment at the time of purchase, including any applicable tax. The full Umbrella Journal library will then become permanently unlocked on your Umbrella Journal account.

If you made an in-app purchase through our iOS app, you will be charged with the primary payment method on your App Store account.

If you made an in-app purchase through our Android app, you will be charged with the primary payment method on your Google Play account.

If you made a subscription purchase directly through our website, you will be charged with the payment method you entered at the time of purchase. If you are unsure about this, please contact our support team here.

For information on how to check the auto-renewing status of your current subscription, please click here.

Subscribed via Umbrella Journal's Website:

If you have a current subscription purchased directly through UmbrellaJournal.com, you do not need to cancel your current subscription. Purchasing a lifetime subscription will automatically extend your current subscription for life! After making your lifetime purchase, you will not incur any further charges for using Umbrella Journal.

The cost of a previously purchased subscription cannot be refunded or applied toward the lifetime upgrade.

As long as you are logged into your existing Umbrella Journal account when you make your lifetime purchase, all of your mindfulness history and statistics will carry over to your lifetime subscription.

Checkout Errors on the Umbrella Journal Website - "There was an error charging your card"

We have found that some banks have erroneously flagged Umbrella Journal charge attempts as fraud. If your credit card is being declined on the Umbrella Journal website, please reach out directly to your bank or credit card provider to remove any flags they have in place that might prevent an Umbrella Journal charge from going through. Here are some additional steps you can also try that have allowed some users to complete their subscription purchase:

  1. Confirm you are entering your card details correctly.
  2. Confirm with your bank or credit card provider that there is nothing blocking charges on your account.
  3. Try using an alternate credit card.
  4. Come back to the page after 48 hours and try again.
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