cognitive behavioral therapy

noun

variants: or less commonly cognitive behavior therapy

Definition of cognitive behavioral 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 It’s one of the main tools in modern-day cognitive behavioral therapy: Learn how to pull yourself back from getting swept away by strong feelings, and then evaluate the situation with your rational side. — Sarah Smith, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2021 The index of their inaugural Painted Brain issue matched the basic concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy: thoughts, feelings and actions. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2021 Look into cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. — Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2021 This six-week course employs cognitive behavioral therapy to improve the quality of your sleep. — Simon Hill, Wired, 21 Aug. 2021 Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab offers real-world strategies rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy to uncover and then unapologetically express our needs—and take back our power. — Holly Corbett, Forbes, 28 May 2021 These therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy that helps patients identify negative thought patterns, and exposure therapy, where a patient is exposed to a (safe) situation that reminds them of their trauma. — Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2021 Fortunately for people with clinical anxiety, standard treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and medication have been demonstrated, scientifically, to make a difference in their lives. — Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2021 Keep in mind, though, that cognitive behavioral therapy is considered a first-line treatment for anxiety-not hypnotherapy. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 17 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cognitive behavioral therapy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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cognitive

cognitive behavioral therapy

cognitive dissonance

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Last Updated

15 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Cognitive behavioral therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20behavioral%20therapy. Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for cognitive behavioral therapy

cognitive behavioral therapy

noun

variants: also cognitive behavior therapy

Medical Definition of cognitive behavioral therapy

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, January/February 2013 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, 10 Jan. 2006