Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the most widely used, evidence-based talk therapy. It’s built on a simple idea: your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected — so changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns can change how you feel. It’s structured, goal-oriented, and usually time-limited, and it works for a wide range of conditions.
Clinically reviewed by the Lyte Psychiatry Clinical Team · Last reviewed June 2026
What CBT is
Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact, and helps you discover and challenge unhelpful or distorted patterns to improve how you feel and function. It’s collaborative and active — you and your therapist work on specific goals, and you practice skills between sessions.
What it helps with
CBT is one of the most-studied psychotherapies. It’s used for:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders, panic, and phobias
- OCD and PTSD
- Insomnia and stress
- Many other concerns — on its own or alongside medication
What a session looks like
You’ll identify specific problems and goals, then work on the thoughts and behaviors tied to them — learning skills like reframing catastrophic thoughts, gradual exposure to feared situations, or behavioral activation. Practice between sessions is part of what makes it work. It’s focused and time-limited rather than open-ended.
CBT and medication
For several conditions, CBT plus medication works better than either alone. Medication can reduce symptoms enough to make the therapy work possible, while CBT builds durable skills. Your prescriber and therapist can coordinate so the pieces fit together.
Frequently asked questions
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
CBT is a structured, goal-oriented talk therapy built on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. It helps you notice and challenge unhelpful or distorted thinking patterns and change the behaviors that keep problems going. It's typically time-limited and skills-focused, with practice between sessions.
What does CBT help with?
CBT is one of the most-studied psychotherapies and is used for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, panic, phobias, insomnia, and many other concerns. It's often a first-line treatment on its own or alongside medication.
What happens in a CBT session?
You and your therapist identify specific problems and goals, then work on recognizing the thoughts and behaviors tied to them. You'll learn concrete skills, like reframing catastrophic thoughts, gradual exposure to feared situations, or behavioral activation, and practice them between sessions. It's active and collaborative rather than open-ended.
How long does CBT take?
CBT is usually time-limited, often somewhere in the range of a few months of weekly sessions, depending on the concern and your goals. Many people notice progress within the first several sessions as they start using the skills.
Can I do CBT and take medication?
Yes, and for several conditions, the combination works better than either alone. Medication can ease symptoms enough to make the therapy work possible, while CBT builds durable skills. Your prescriber and therapist can coordinate the plan.
Related pages
This page is for general education and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from your own clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and for a medical emergency call 911.
Wondering if CBT is right for you?
Our Texas psychiatry team can evaluate your symptoms and help you find the right mix of therapy and care. In-person in DFW or by video statewide. Same-week appointments available.
Book an appointment