Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that influences dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and thoughts through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure. CBT can be seen as an umbrella term for a number of psychological techniques that share a theoretical basis in behavioristic learning theory and cognitive psychology.

There is evidence that CBT is effective for the treatment mood disorders, anxiety, eating problems, drug abuse, among other issues. Treatment is usually brief. CBT is used in individual or group therapy, and the techniques are often adapted for self-help applications. Some CBT therapies are more orientated towards behaviorally oriented matters while others act as cognitive interventions.CBT was primarily developed through a merging of behavior therapy with cognitive therapy. Rooted in different theories, these two traditions found commonality through focusing on the “here and now”.

Many CBT treatment programs for specific disorders have been evaluated for efficacy and effectiveness; the health-care trend of evidence-based treatment, where specific treatments for symptom-based diagnoses are recommended, has favored CBT over other approaches such as psychodynamic treatments. In Great Britain, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends CBT as the treatment of choice for a number of mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa and clinical depression.

CBT is excellent for people shifting through jobs or going through a job loss depression. It can help people like Solly who did his own form of CBT on himself. (See Solly’s Story)