Thoughts, emotions and actions often influence one another. A difficult situation may trigger an unhelpful thought, which can affect how a person feels and responds.
CBT explores these connections as part of professional mental health treatment. Cognitive behaviour therapy, commonly called CBT, is a type of psychotherapy that helps people recognise unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and develop more useful ways of responding to everyday difficulties.
What is cognitive behaviour therapy and how does it work?
What does CBT involve? CBT is based on the principle that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected. Changes in one area can influence the others.
During therapy, a person works with a qualified professional to identify patterns that may contribute to distress or make situations harder to manage. The therapist then introduces practical strategies for checking thoughts, changing responses and developing healthier habits. CBT generally concentrates on current concerns rather than focusing entirely on past experiences.
What happens during a CBT session?
Knowing what happens in an appointment can help you prepare. A therapist may begin by discussing a situation the person finds difficult, then examine the thoughts, feelings and behaviours connected to it.
Together, they can identify thoughts that may be inaccurate or unhelpful and consider other ways of interpreting the situation. Sessions can also include practical exercises, goal setting and strategies to practise between appointments. The exact structure depends on the person’s circumstances and treatment needs.
Recognising unhelpful patterns
A key part of CBT is learning to recognise thinking patterns that may influence emotions and behaviour. A person may automatically expect the worst outcome, make broad conclusions from one experience or hold beliefs about themselves that are not supported by evidence.
The therapist can help them examine these thoughts more carefully rather than simply accepting them as facts. This process is commonly called cognitive restructuring. It can support a more balanced way of thinking and provide practical methods for responding to difficult situations.
What can cognitive behaviour therapy help with?
People often ask which concerns CBT can address. CBT is used across a range of psychological and emotional health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It can also help when unhelpful thought patterns or behaviours affect relationships, confidence, daily routines, or a person’s ability to manage stressful situations. The most suitable form of therapy should be decided based on the person’s needs and an assessment by an appropriate health professional. For younger people, behaviour therapy for children may use age-appropriate strategies and often involves parents, carers or other important adults. The approach chosen depends on the child’s needs, development, environment and the concerns being addressed.
Cognitive therapy and behavioural strategies in CBT
CBT combines strategies for thoughts and actions.
Cognitive strategies focus on identifying and questioning unhelpful thoughts or beliefs. Behavioural strategies concentrate on changing actions, routines or responses that may be reinforcing a problem. Depending on the person’s needs, treatment can include gradual exposure to feared situations, problem-solving, activity planning or developing coping skills. The therapist selects techniques that relate to the person’s goals rather than applying the same method to everyone.
How CBT differs from positive behaviour support
CBT and Positive Behaviour Support can both involve behaviour, but they serve different purposes. CBT is a psychological therapy that examines the relationship between thoughts, emotions and actions.
A positive behaviour support plan and NDIS approach are different. It focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviours of concern, reducing barriers to daily participation, building useful skills and creating practical strategies across a participant’s environment. UDS provides Behavioural Therapy and Specialist Positive Behaviour Support, including behavioural assessments, support planning, emotional regulation strategies and skill development.
Practical positive behaviour support examples may include strengthening communication skills, teaching safer replacement behaviours, changing environmental triggers or helping families and support workers use consistent strategies. These approaches are based on the person’s circumstances and the function of the behaviour, rather than treating behaviour as something to be controlled.
How long does cognitive behaviour therapy take?
Treatment length can vary. CBT is generally structured and goal-focused, but no single number of sessions suits every condition or person.
Ask your clinician about the recommended frequency, length and review points for your treatment. There is no standard number of appointments that suits everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBT the same as psychotherapy?
CBT is a type of psychotherapy rather than a separate category of treatment. It has a structured approach that concentrates on the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Other psychotherapy methods may use different theories or place greater emphasis on relationships, past experiences or emotional processing.
Can CBT be used with other treatments?
Yes. CBT may be used on its own or alongside other forms of care, including medication or counselling. The appropriate combination depends on the health condition, the person’s circumstances and professional clinical advice.
What is cognitive behaviour therapy trying to achieve?
CBT involves more than positive thinking. CBT teaches people to examine thoughts and behaviours more carefully, identify patterns that may be causing difficulties and practise responses that are more useful in daily life. People can apply these skills after formal therapy ends.
Conclusion
Understanding cognitive behaviour therapy provides a clearer picture of how structured psychological treatment can address thoughts, emotions and actions. CBT can help people identify unhelpful patterns, practise practical strategies and develop skills for managing a range of mental health concerns.
People with disability may also require behavioural, daily living or NDIS-related support outside clinical CBT. UDS provides Behavioural Therapy and Specialist Positive Behaviour Support, focusing on individual goals, dignity, communication, safety, and independence. Contact UDS Support to discuss suitable supports and the services available for NDIS participants.
Further reading
Read Healthdirect’s guide. Descriptions checked against Australian public health information on 3 October 2026. Ask a qualified professional about suitability and the services actually available to you.
Clinical treatment and NDIS funding
The NDIS does not replace clinical mental health treatment. Eligible disability-related therapy supports must meet funding criteria and be appropriate for the person’s plan. Ask your GP about clinical treatment pathways, and confirm any NDIS support before booking.
Read the NDIS therapy guidance and mental health and disability support factsheet. Funding distinction checked 3 October 2026.
Getting help now
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours a day. For non-urgent treatment advice, contact your GP.
A website enquiry or referral to Unify is not an emergency response. See Healthdirect’s mental health helplines for more support options.
