In simple terms
Cognitive behavioral therapy, usually shortened to CBT, is a structured talking therapy. The NHS describes it as a therapy in which a therapist helps you change how you think and act.
The working idea is that thoughts, feelings and behavior pull on one another, so changing one can shift the others.
How it works
Sessions focus on present difficulties rather than on life history. A person and a therapist take apart a specific situation, notice the thought that came with it, and test whether that thought holds up.
The US National Institute of Mental Health describes CBT as helping people become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, then examine those thoughts and change the behavior that follows.
It is short by the standards of talking therapies. The NHS says a course usually runs between 5 and 15 sessions, delivered one to one, in a group, or as guided self-help through workbooks and online courses, in person, online or by telephone.
Practice between sessions is part of the method rather than homework tacked on. Access differs by country: in England a person can refer themselves to NHS talking therapies without a prior diagnosis, while arrangements elsewhere vary.
Why it matters
CBT is among the most studied psychological treatments, which is why it turns up so often in national treatment guidance. A 2012 review of 269 meta-analyses concluded that the evidence base for CBT is very strong, with the most consistent results in anxiety disorders.
The same review records the gaps: small samples in many studies, limited research in some populations, and open questions about how CBT compares with medication for particular conditions.
Where you will see it
- National treatment guidelines for depression and anxiety disorders.
- Referral pages and waiting lists for public talking therapy services.
- Apps and online programs that describe themselves as CBT based.
- Research comparing therapies with each other, or with medication.
Example
Someone who avoids meetings because they expect to be judged might, with a therapist, write down that prediction, attend one meeting, and compare what actually happened with what they feared.
Often confused with
CBT is one form of psychotherapy, not a synonym for it. Other talking therapies work in different ways, and NIMH notes that psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to or alongside medication.
Key facts
- The NHS describes CBT as a talking therapy in which a therapist helps a person change how they think and act.1
- An NHS course of CBT usually runs between 5 and 15 sessions, and may be one to one, in a group, or guided self-help, delivered in person, online or by telephone.1
- NIMH describes CBT as helping people notice automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, and then change the behavior that follows.2
- NIMH states that psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options.2
- A 2012 review of 269 meta-analyses concluded that the evidence base for CBT is very strong, while noting small samples and limited research in some populations.3
This entry explains a medical term. It is not medical advice. If you are concerned about your health, speak with a qualified health professional.
Related concepts
Quick checkWhat does CBT focus on?Show answer
Current problems and the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior, rather than a person life history.
Sources
- NHS. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Undated (accessed 23 September 2026)
- National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapies. Undated (accessed 23 September 2026)
- Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A, Cognitive Therapy and Research. The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses, volume 36, issue 5, pages 427 to 440. 31 July 2012 (accessed 23 September 2026)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed September 23, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue