Type of psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety, pho¬ bias, and other forms of mental disorder. It involves recognizing distorted thinking and learning to replace it with more realistic substitute ideas. Cognitive behavior therapy combines two kinds of psychotherapy-cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy teaches patients how certain thinking patterns cause their symptoms. Behavior therapy helps patients weaken the connections between troublesome situations and their habitual reactions to them. It also teaches patients how to relax physically and mentally, so they can feel better, think more clearly, and make better decisions.
A form of psychotherapy wherein individuals acquire the skills to identify and modify detrimental patterns of thinking and behavior that are characterized by negativity and self-sabotage.