Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

cognitive behavioral therapy

American  
[kog-ni-tiv bi-heyv-yer-uhl ther-uh-pee] / ˈkɒg nɪ tɪv bɪˈheɪv jər əl ˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

  1. Psychology. a form of psychological therapy that seeks to identify and change patterns of thought, perception, and behavior that can be harmful to a person's mental health. CBT


Etymology

Origin of cognitive behavioral therapy

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"Most of us know about cognitive behavioral therapy which can help address the thoughts and the patterns that we have about pulling," she said.

From BBC Mar. 24, 2026

Limbic also uses AI to provide cognitive behavioral therapy, primarily in the U.K., though some pilots have launched in the U.S., said co-founder and Chief Executive Ross Harper.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 23, 2026

"I've tried antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, sleeping pills and stimulants, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy... tai chi, reiki, meditation, veganism, art therapy and music therapy," the former stand-up comedian said.

From Barron's Feb. 25, 2026

This research also suggests that behavioral interventions such as exercise, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy may influence how these brain circuits fire, just as hunger and fear did in the lab.

From Science Daily Oct. 10, 2025

Since you’ve had a reasonable amount of cognitive behavioral therapy, you tell yourself, I am not my thoughts, even though deep down you’re not sure what exactly that makes you.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training