What is cognitive behavioral therapy used for?

Clinical experts and federal health agencies say cognitive behavioral therapy is a first-line treatment for a range of mental health conditions, according to new guidance and longstanding research. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a structured, time-limited psychotherapy that aims to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.

The American Psychological Association and the National Institute of Mental Health note that CBT is commonly used to treat depression and a broad spectrum of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Clinicians also employ CBT for post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias. Evidence supports its use in treating eating disorders, insomnia, substance use disorders and chronic pain management, often as part of a multidisciplinary plan.

Practitioners describe CBT as skill-based: patients learn to identify distorted thoughts, test beliefs with behavioral experiments and adopt coping strategies for stress and relapse prevention. Typical courses range from brief, 6- to 20-session programs to longer therapy depending on severity and comorbidity. Telehealth delivery has expanded access, and randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses consistently demonstrate moderate to large benefits for many conditions.

Guideline panels recommend CBT as a first-line or adjunctive option alongside medication for many diagnoses. Experts caution that treatment should be individualized and that therapist training and adherence to protocol influence outcomes. Health systems emphasize credentialed providers and measurement-based care to track progress.

Clinicians and agencies recommend that patients seeking CBT inquire about therapist qualifications, specific treatment focus and outcome monitoring. When available, CBT is presented as an evidence-based option for reducing symptoms, improving function and teaching lasting self-management skills. Insurance coverage, clinician availability and cultural factors affect access; health systems encourage integrated care models, ongoing research into digital CBT platforms and community outreach to extend reach, refine protocols and measure long-term outcomes across diverse patient populations effectively.