Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a short-term, problem-focused form of treatment that helps people understand and free themselves from unhelpful patterns of behavior. CBT is a directive approach aimed at understanding the factors that influence and maintain problems, then developing a specific action plan to specifically target those factors. This approach is a very active form of treatment that involves significant collaboration between the therapist and the client. This may differ from other forms of treatment that are much more client-driven and involve discussing and exploring the past. CBT typically involves homework between sessions to maximize learning and client engagement.

Research has supported various types of CBT treatments for the past four decades. CBT is effective for a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, substance use and addiction, trauma, eating disorders, impulsivity, attention problems, and other complex behavioral difficulties. If you are looking for a more active approach to change that involves learning real world skills and tools, CBT is the approach for you.