What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT was originally developed as a short-term treatment for major depression. Since its inception, it has been adapted to treat a broad range of mental health problems including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias. To date, over 400 outcome studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT. Research has also found that with a number of psychiatric disorders, CBT is as effective as medications and that the results of CBT last longer when both treatments are discontinued.

The basic premise of CBT is that thoughts, feelings, and behavior are related to one another. CBT seeks to modify negative patterns of thinking and behavior in order to improve emotional well-being. Clients are taught cognitive skills to help them identify and respond to their negative thoughts and behavioral coping skills to help them manage their mood and accomplish their life goals.

For more information on CBT see the Association for Cognitive Behavioral Therapies.