What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
What Does CBT Stand For?
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
CBT is one of the most widely researched and commonly practiced forms of psychotherapy. It is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are interconnected. By identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, individuals can improve emotional wellbeing and develop healthier coping strategies.
What Is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps people recognize patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
CBT focuses on current challenges rather than spending extensive time exploring the past. Clients learn practical skills that can be applied in everyday situations to improve mental health and emotional resilience.
How Does CBT Work?
CBT helps individuals:
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Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
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Challenge inaccurate assumptions
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Develop balanced perspectives
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Change behaviours that maintain distress
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Build practical coping skills
For example, someone experiencing anxiety may learn to recognize catastrophic thinking and develop healthier ways of responding to uncertainty.
What Can CBT Help With?
CBT is commonly used for:
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Panic attacks
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Social anxiety
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OCD
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Stress management
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Perfectionism
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Low self-esteem
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Insomnia
Does CBT Work?
CBT is one of the most extensively researched psychotherapy approaches and has strong evidence supporting its effectiveness for many mental health concerns.
Advantages of CBT
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Practical and structured
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Evidence-based
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Goal-oriented
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Teaches long-term coping skills
Limitations of CBT
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May feel too structured for some people
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Focuses less on deeper emotional exploration
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Not everyone connects with cognitive exercises
CBT vs Other Therapy Approaches
CBT focuses primarily on thoughts and behaviours.
While CBT asks:
"How can we change this thinking pattern?"
ACT may ask:
"How can we relate differently to these thoughts?"
EMDR may focus on:
"How can we process the experiences that contributed to these reactions?"
Other Therapy Model Resources: