Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the interconnected relationship among a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. At its core, CBT helps individuals identify unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior and equips them with practical skills to shift these patterns in order to improve emotional well-being and functioning (American Psychological Association [APA], n.d.). CBT is commonly used to treat a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, phobias, and stress-related conditions.
The underlying premise of CBT is that how we think about situations influences how we feel emotionally and behave and that intentionally adjusting thinking and behavior can lead to meaningful emotional change. This approach is typically collaborative and skill-focused, and clients actively participate in learning and applying strategies both in and between therapy sessions.
How CBT Works
CBT is a “problem-focused” and “action-oriented” therapy. It often involves:
Identifying Thoughts: Recognizing automatic thoughts and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress.
Challenging Patterns: Examining and reframing unhelpful or distorted thinking.
Behavioral Strategies: Practicing new behaviors that support healthier emotional responses and functioning.
Skill Building: Learning coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, stress management, and problem-solving skills.
Therapists and clients work as a team to explore how thoughts and actions affect feelings and to develop more effective ways of responding to life’s challenges. By addressing both cognitive (thought) and behavioral (action) components, CBT supports clients in reducing symptoms and preventing relapse.
CBT in Trauma and PTSD Treatment
In the context of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), CBT-based approaches are recommended as first-line evidence-based treatments by the American Psychological Association’s Clinical Practice Guideline. These interventions help individuals revisit and reinterpret distressing thoughts and memories in ways that reduce trauma-related distress and avoidance behaviors. Specific CBT-derived treatments (e.g., cognitive processing therapy and trauma-focused CBT) focus on modifying unhelpful beliefs about the trauma, reducing symptom severity, and improving functioning (APA, n.d.).
CBT’s structured format typically includes collaboratively set goals, psychoeducation, practice of coping strategies, and homework to generalize skills to real-world situations. Sessions often occur weekly over a defined course of treatment tailored to an individual’s needs.
Who Can Benefit from CBT
CBT is versatile and effective for people across the lifespan, including adolescents and adults facing:
Anxiety and depressive disorders
Trauma and stress reactions
Sleep difficulties
Phobias
Chronic pain and health-related stress
Emotion regulation challenges
Because CBT emphasizes skill learning and self-management, many clients find that the tools they gain extend beyond symptom relief to improved confidence and resilience in daily life.
Why CBT Works
Research shows that CBT is effective in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for many individuals. It is one of the most extensively studied psychotherapies, and numerous trials support its use for trauma-related disorders and other psychological conditions. CBT’s focus on practical skills empowers clients to better understand the links between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and to implement change in sustainable ways.
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). What is cognitive behavioral therapy? https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of PTSD. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/cognitive-behavioral-therapy
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Treatments for PTSD (clinical guideline overview). https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610
