Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people learn how to identify and change the destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their behavior and emotions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by identifying maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotional responses, or behaviors and replacing them with more desirable patterns.

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the automatic negative thoughts that can contribute to and worsen our emotional difficulties, depression, and anxiety. These spontaneous negative thoughts also have a detrimental influence on our mood.

CBT is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

Addiction

Anger issues

Anxiety

Bipolar disorder

Depression

Eating disorders

Panic attacks

Personality disordersPhobias

In addition to mental health conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy has also been found to help people cope with:

Chronic pain or serious illnesses

Divorce or break-ups

Grief or loss

Insomnia

Low self-esteem

Relationship problems

Stress management