cognitive behavioral therapy

noun

variants or less commonly cognitive behavior therapy
: psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by identifying faulty or maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior and substituting them with desirable patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior
abbreviation CBT

Note: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used in the treatment of various mental and emotional disorders including depression, anxiety, anorexia, and substance abuse. Cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are often used interchangeably.

Cognitive behavioral therapy prods patients to do things that will make them feel a sense of accomplishment and connection, and to avoid interpreting situations as being worse than they are.David H. Freedman
The most scientifically studied technique, cognitive behavior therapy, teaches people to identify and dispute self-degrading thoughts … that can feed on themselves and cause people to sink into despair.Benedict Carey

Examples of cognitive behavioral therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See a mental health professional: If accessible to you, therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can build mental and emotional resilience. Jakob Roze, Health, 19 June 2025 Among the handful of dedicated gambling-addiction treatment providers around the country, many deploy cognitive behavioral therapy, which studies suggest can at least temporarily improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the severity of their gambling problem. Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025 In fact, when cognitive behavioral therapy for children’s chronic pain is delivered exclusively through an online tool, only a third of children complete treatment. Natoshia R. Cunningham, The Conversation, 4 June 2025 The program would have included cognitive behavioral therapy and conflict resolution training, as well as introducing the teens to potential mentors. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cognitive behavioral therapy

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cognitive behavioral therapy was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Cognitive behavioral therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20behavioral%20therapy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

cognitive behavioral therapy

noun
variants also cognitive behavior therapy
: psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by identifying faulty or maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior and substituting them with desirable patterns of thinking, emotional response, or behavior
abbreviation CBT

Note: Cognitive behavioral therapy is used in the treatment of various mental and emotional disorders including depression, anxiety, anorexia, and substance abuse. Cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are often used interchangeably.

Cognitive behavioral therapy prods patients to do things that will make them feel a sense of accomplishment and connection, and to avoid interpreting situations as being worse than they are.David H. Freedman, Discover
The most scientifically studied technique, cognitive behavior therapy, teaches people to identify and dispute self-degrading thoughts … that can feed on themselves and cause people to sink into despair.Benedict Carey, The New York Times
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