What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited psychotherapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Grounded in decades of research, CBT teaches skills such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, exposure, and problem-solving to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions.

Clinical guidelines from major professional organizations recommend CBT as a first-line treatment for many common mental health disorders. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses demonstrate moderate to large effects for CBT in treating depression and anxiety disorders, and growing evidence supports its use for insomnia, chronic pain and substance use when combined with other approaches.

Therapists deliver CBT in individual, group and digital formats. Treatment is usually structured around an initial assessment followed by weekly sessions that emphasize goal-setting, skill practice and homework assignments to generalize learning to daily life. A typical course may involve a dozen sessions, though intensity and duration vary with diagnosis and severity.

CBT's active, collaborative stance distinguishes it from more exploratory therapies. Therapists help clients test beliefs against evidence and schedule activities that increase involvement in meaningful pursuits. Exposure-based techniques reduce avoidance and fear, while behavioral experiments provide real-world feedback to change negative predictions.

Access to CBT has expanded through internet-based programs and guided self-help, which research shows can be effective for mild to moderate problems. Nevertheless, experts stress the importance of trained clinicians for complex or high-risk cases and recommend routine outcome monitoring to ensure benefit.

As health systems prioritize evidence-based care, CBT remains a cornerstone treatment, balancing empirical support with practical tools that patients can apply beyond the therapy room.

Professional training programs and certification pathways exist to ensure competency; prospective patients are advised to verify clinician credentials, discuss treatment goals and duration, and consider CBT as part of a comprehensive, person-centered care plan and follow-up.