About CBT

What is cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates cognitive and behavioral interventions in the treatment of emotional or psychiatric problems. CBT is short-term and solution focused. The goal of cognitive therapy is to gain a different perspective on problems, and to change maladaptive or unhelpful thought patterns. Individuals learn to examine their feelings and evaluate negative or irrational thoughts related to mood, anxiety, work or relationship problems. In behavioral therapy, individuals learn to gain better control over unwanted behaviors or to overcome fears and avoidance of certain situations or events. Some psychiatric disorders require more cognitive interventions whereas others focus predominantly on behavioral changes. In a majority of cases, both types of techniques are used to some extent.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a collaborative process

CBT is a collaborative process that involves active participation. Treatment is individualized depending on the specific problem. It is generally time-limited, with average length of treatment ranging from 12 to 20 weeks. However, treatment may take longer (a year or more) for people with a long-standing illness, a history of poor response to other forms of treatment, or illness complicated by depression or substance use. You should discuss with your therapist the expected length of treatment for your specific problem.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment

CBT has been validated for the treatment of a variety of problems including depression and anxiety disorders. It is the gold-standard psychotherapy treatment for disorders like social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. CBT with the focus on behavioral intervention has also been shown to be effective for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). For a list of other disorders that can be helped by CBT, readers are referred to the Beck Institute.

How does cognitive behavioral therapy work?

The following are examples of how cognitive behavioral therapy may work for some anxiety disorders.

Social anxiety disorder

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Generalized anxiety disorder

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Panic disorder

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Yujuan Choy, M.D.

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