What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that focuses on teaching people ways to identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to replace them with those that are more adaptive and consistent with facts, with the ultimate goal being to improve quality of life and reduce psychological distress.

CBT is not talk-therapy – it’s a skills-based approach that requires active participation by patient and therapist. CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that appear to be problematic and teaching more adaptive ways of coping. CBT approaches have been shown to be very effective in treating a range of disorders, from sleep issues, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, to pain disorders in adults and in children.