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What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change their inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts and behavior, feel better, and act in alignment with their aspirations and values. Over 2,000 studies demonstrate that CBT can help people with a wide range of health and mental health conditions and quality of life concerns.

Beck Institute's Aaron and Judith Beck

Our Mission and Vision

Beck Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by the late Dr. Aaron T. Beck and Dr. Judith S. Beck with the mission of improving lives worldwide through excellence and innovation in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy.

At Beck Institute, we work for the future. We envision a world where everyone can access high-quality, evidence-based psychotherapies that help them get better and stay better.

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How Does Cognitive Behavior Therapy Work?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps people identify their underlying and consistent thought patterns and then evaluate how accurate those thoughts are. They then learn to modify thoughts that are inaccurate or limiting.

CBT can also help people figure out what they most want from life, and take steps toward achieving their goals. They learn skills to change unhelpful behaviors to achieve lasting improvement in mood and functioning and a greater sense of well-being.

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CBT for Weight Management

A cognitive-behavioral approach to weight management empowers people to make healthy lifestyle choices. CBT helps people evaluate thoughts that can get in the way of forming and maintaining new healthy habits, and identify thinking patterns associated with feelings of deprivation, disappointment and unfairness.

CBT teaches people skills that help them build resilience and achieve long-lasting improvement in their health and wellbeing. 

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Find a Certified CBT Therapist

There are certified CBT clinicians all over the world who can provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy. Use our clinician directory to find Beck Institute Certified CBT therapists near you, or learn more about seeking treatment with one of the clinicians at the Beck Institute clinic, located just outside of Philadelphia.

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CBT Resources

A wealth of books, tools, and resources are available to increase your knowledge of CBT. Our offerings range from instructional videos and patient pamphlets to books and DVDs by leading experts in CBT.

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Weight Management

Beck Institute’s Weight Management program empowers people to make healthy choices every day and maintain their progress long term.

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The CBT Blog

Get the latest tips for applying CBT approaches to your life from experts in the field so you’re better prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

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Have Questions?

Review our FAQs or contact us to learn more.