What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that is widely considered as the gold-standard psychotherapy treatment for the most common psychological disorders, such as depression, addictive and anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on the connection between a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is based on the idea that unhelpful patterns of thinking can lead to negative emotions and behaviors, and that learning practical skills to cope with and modify these thought patterns can lead to relief from symptoms and positive changes in emotions and behaviors.

It has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. The guidelines of global health organizations (e.g., WHO, UNICEF) and many national mental health associations (e.g., American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, Royal College of Psychiatrists, and British Psychological Society) espouse CBT as the first-line treatment for most common psychological disorders.