Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): How It Works and What to Expect
Written and reviewed by Prarthana Thaker — Counselling Psychologist & Career Counsellor, 7+ years of clinical experience. About the author. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most studied psychotherapies in existence, with strong evidence as a first-line treatment for anxiety, depression, insomnia, OCD, and PTSD. This guide explains the core idea behind CBT, how it differs from open-ended talk therapy, the conditions it actually helps, and what a typical session looks like.