Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment that emphasizes the collaboration between the therapist and the patient, and has been supported by research.  Therapy sessions are structured and focus on achieving specific mutually agreed upon therapy goals.  Cognitive-behavioral therapists engage in active problem-solving with their clients and focus primarily on the here-and-now issues identified by the client.  This type of therapy combines cognitive and behavior therapy to treat psychosocial problems: Cognitive therapy aims at identifying thoughts, beliefs and feelings which affect behavior, while behavioral interventions change unhelpful behaviors through techniques such as systematic desensitization and relaxation training. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a psychological approach which is based on scientific principles and has been shown to be effective for a wide range of psychosocial problems.  Large numbers of studies have shown this type of treatment to be effective in improving symptoms as well as clients’ quality of life.  Specifically, cognitive-behavioral interventions are effective in treating depression and a variety of anxiety problems such as social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. 

For more information about cognitive-behavioral therapy, please visit the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists.

Center for Brief Therapy
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
4190 City Avenue, Rowland Hall, Suite 530
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Phone: 215-871-6487