Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy used to treat many different problems, especially psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety. CBT has its roots in the late 1950s and was officially formed in the late seventies. Since then it has been shown to be a very effective way to help people overcome a variety of problems. CBT is an umbrella term that encompasses many different types of therapy that are all based on the same ideas. The principle is that first there is a thought, this triggers a feeling and this changes a person's actions. The problem is that in many people these thoughts are based on 'incorrect beliefs'. The aim of CBT is to correct these beliefs and this will lead to a change in thoughts leading to a change in feelings and finally a change in behaviour.

CBT is a relatively short-term form of psychotherapy (a type of counselling) that can be used for the treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders including depression, anxiety, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, substance abuse and personality disorders amongst others. It can also be used to help people change their lifestyles. It focuses on working on the 'incorrect beliefs' that people have. These 'incorrect beliefs' are usually unintentional but they seriously affect how people react to situations.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the term for a number of therapies that are designed to help solve problems in people's lives, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or drug misuse.

CBT was developed from two earlier types of psychotherapy:

Cognitive therapy, designed to change people's thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and expectations.
Behavioural therapy (also called behaviourism, designed to change how people acted).