cognitive therapy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Professional, Clinical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “cognitive therapy” mean?
A form of psychotherapy that treats emotional and behavioural problems by changing the patient's dysfunctional patterns of thinking and beliefs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of psychotherapy that treats emotional and behavioural problems by changing the patient's dysfunctional patterns of thinking and beliefs.
A structured, time-limited, present-oriented talking therapy used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions by identifying and modifying unhelpful cognitive distortions (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, attitudes) and behaviours.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The abbreviation 'CBT' is more common in both everyday and professional contexts in the UK and the US.
Connotations
Professional, scientific, and evidence-based in both varieties.
Frequency
High frequency in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and mental health discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cognitive therapy” in a Sentence
[Patient] undergoes cognitive therapy for [condition].[Therapist] practises/administers cognitive therapy.[Cognitive therapy] is used to treat [condition].[Cognitive therapy] focuses on [cognitive pattern].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cognitive therapy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cognitive-therapy model is widely taught.
- She has a cognitive-therapy background.
American English
- A cognitive-therapy approach was used.
- He is a cognitive-therapy practitioner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in corporate wellbeing programmes (e.g., 'The company offers access to cognitive therapy services.')
Academic
Very common in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and counselling research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Common in discussions about mental health treatment options (e.g., 'My doctor recommended cognitive therapy for my anxiety.')
Technical
The primary context. Used by clinicians, therapists, and researchers with precise reference to specific therapeutic protocols and models.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cognitive therapy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cognitive therapy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cognitive therapy”
- Using 'cognitive therapy' as a verb (e.g., 'I will cognitive therapy you'). It is a noun phrase only.
- Confusing it with psychoanalysis or other non-directive therapies.
- Spelling error: 'cognative therapy'. Correct is 'cognitive'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cognitive Therapy (CT) is a key component of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a broader term that explicitly combines cognitive therapy with behavioural techniques. In common usage, they are often used interchangeably.
It is typically a short-term, time-limited therapy. A standard course might involve 5 to 20 weekly sessions, depending on the individual and the condition being treated.
It is empirically supported for treating depression, anxiety disorders (e.g., GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety), phobias, PTSD, eating disorders, and some forms of insomnia and chronic pain.
No. It is structured and goal-oriented. You work collaboratively with a therapist to identify specific problematic thoughts, test their validity, and develop more balanced and helpful ways of thinking, often with practical exercises.
A form of psychotherapy that treats emotional and behavioural problems by changing the patient's dysfunctional patterns of thinking and beliefs.
Cognitive therapy is usually professional, clinical, academic in register.
Cognitive therapy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈθerəpi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːɡnət̬ɪv ˈθerəpi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COGnitive scientist repairing a faulty THERAmostat. The therapy fixes broken thought 'settings'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THERAPY IS MENTAL REPROGRAMMING / THERAPY IS COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of cognitive therapy?