cognitive behavioral therapy

noun

variants or less commonly cognitive behavior therapy

: psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by identifying faulty or maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior and substituting them with desirable patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior

—abbreviation CBT

Note: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used in the treatment of various mental and emotional disorders including depression, anxiety, anorexia, and substance abuse. Cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are often used interchangeably.

Cognitive behavioral therapy prods patients to do things that will make them feel a sense of accomplishment and connection, and to avoid interpreting situations as being worse than they are.

—David H. Freedman

The most scientifically studied technique, cognitive behavior therapy, teaches people to identify and dispute self-degrading thoughts … that can feed on themselves and cause people to sink into despair.

—Benedict Carey

Examples of cognitive behavioral therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Related article The quickest way to improve your family’s mental health Silverman added that cognitive behavioral therapy, particularly exposure therapy, has proven highly effective in treating anxiety and phobias. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) stresses that health anxiety can be managed through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and mindfulness practices aimed at breaking the cycle of catastrophic thinking. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

According to research, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for anxiety.5 CBT is a talk therapy focusing on connecting thoughts, actions, and feelings to improve outcomes. —Ashley Olivine, Ph.d., Mph, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025

Potential solutions include mindfulness exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help people with ADHD to improve their organization, time management and emotion regulation, the same source stated. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cognitive behavioral therapy

noun

variants also cognitive behavior therapy

: psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by identifying faulty or maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior and substituting them with desirable patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior

—abbreviation CBT

Note: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used in the treatment of various mental and emotional disorders including depression, anxiety, anorexia, and substance abuse. Cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are often used interchangeably.

Cognitive behavioral therapy prods patients to do things that will make them feel a sense of accomplishment and connection, and to avoid interpreting situations as being worse than they are.

—David H. Freedman, Discover

The most scientifically studied technique, cognitive behavior therapy, teaches people to identify and dispute self-degrading thoughts … that can feed on themselves and cause people to sink into despair.

—Benedict Carey, The New York Times