Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment method that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems and severe mental illness. CBT is the most researched form of psychotherapy. Studies have been shown CBT is more effective than other forms of psychological therapy or even psychiatric medications.

CBT varies from many other methods of psychological treatment.

The 3 basic principles of CBT:

1. Core beliefs: our core beliefs are our most central ideas about ourselves, others and the world which are informed by our childhood experiences.

2. Dysfunctional assumptions: We tend to hold onto the negative more easily than the positive. These cognitive distortions arise from the deep well of schemas or our core beliefs that distort our perceptions of reality.

3. Automatic negative thoughts : Automatic negative thoughts are involuntary negative perceptions of reality that pop into our heads immediately in response to a certain stimulus. They can be hard to differentiate since they occur rapidly and cause negative emotions.

CBT helps individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the sessions as well as exercises outside of sessions, people are helped to develop coping skills and they can learn to control their own thinking, negative emotions, and problematic behavior.