Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy approach originally created by Dr. Aaron Beck to address negative thinking patterns in people diagnosed with depression. Currently, CBT is utilized to help people experiencing a wide variety of struggles including but not limited to depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma responses, and relationship difficulties. 

CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts and behaviors and how these can be reformed to lessen distress and positively influence an individual’s day-to-day life. Often, providers will confront cognitive distortions, which are irrational thoughts, and work toward replacing these with thoughts based in reality. They will guide individuals in uncovering the sources of cognitive distortions, in understanding them with self-compassion, and ultimately in addressing them by making connections between the distortions and the ensuing distressing behaviors.