Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, it has become one of the most widely researched and effective treatments for anxiety, depression, and panic. CBT is recognized by the American Psychological Association’s Society of Clinical Psychology for its strong evidence base in treating these concerns.
Dr. Beck also founded the Beck Institute, which continues to be a leading authority in CBT training and research. Following his passing, his daughter, Judith Beck, assumed leadership of the Institute. I had the opportunity to train through the Beck Institute, with a clinical focus on anxiety, phobias, depression, and panic, as well as integrating mindfulness into traditional CBT approaches.
At the core of Beck’s CBT model is a simple but powerful idea: our thoughts influence how we feel, how our bodies respond, and how we behave. These reactions then feed back into our distress, often maintaining or worsening symptoms over time. CBT works by helping you recognize these patterns and learn practical skills to interrupt them, so you can respond in ways that reduce suffering and support long-term change.
Below are educational brochures from the Beck Institute that explain how depression and anxiety affect the mind and body, and how CBT can help reduce symptoms:
If you’d like to learn more about CBT and how I can teach you to use these tools as part of your own wellness journey, I invite you to book a complimentary consultation.
Resources
Beck, J. (2021). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Society of Clinical Psychology, American Psychological Association. (2023). Psychological treatments. https://div12.org/psychological-treatments/treatments/
Beck Institute. (2024). Patient pamphlets. https://beckinstitute.org/cbt-resources/resources-for-professionals-and-students/patient-pamplets/