Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts by interrogating and uprooting negative or irrational beliefs. Considered a "solutions-oriented" form of talk therapy, CBT rests on the idea that thoughts and perceptions influence behavior.
What Conditions Can CBT Treat?
CBT originally evolved to treat depression, but research now shows that it can address a wide array of conditions, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, and phobias. Versions have also been created to treat insomnia and eating disorders. But beyond treating clinical challenges, CBT can also provide the skills people need to improve their relationships, happiness , and overall fulfillment in life.
Yes, many studies have documented the benefits of CBT for treating depression. Research shows that CBT is often equally as effective as antidepressants ; patients who receive CBT may also be less likely to relapse after treatment than those who receive medication . CBT can provide patients with the inner resources they need to heal—and to prevent a depressive episode from recurring in the future.
CBT is an effective and lasting treatment for anxiety disorders, research shows. CBT provides the tools to alter the thoughts and behaviors that exacerbate anxiety. For example, someone with social anxiety might think, “I feel so awkward at parties. Everyone must think I’m a loser.” This thought may lead to feelings of sadness, shame , and fear, when then lead to behaviors like isolation and avoidance. CBT can help people learn to identify and challenge distorted thoughts, and then replace them with realistic thoughts, changing the cycle of anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, is a short-term treatment for chronic insomnia. The therapy aims to reframe people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around sleep. People with insomnia often enter a cycle of trying to make up the sleep they lost, sleeping poorly the subsequent night, and then becoming anxious about sleeping. These behaviors can include going to bed too early, taking naps, or relying on alcohol to fall asleep. The role of CBT-i is to change those patterns, through techniques such as challenging anxious thoughts and adhering to a set sleep schedule.
Explore More About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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