Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched and widely applied psychotherapeutic approaches in clinical practice. It is based on the principle that thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are interconnected — and that by identifying and modifying unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, it is possible to produce meaningful and lasting changes in emotional wellbeing and functioning.
CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and time-limited. Sessions have a clear focus, progress is measured, and the patient is an active participant — not a passive recipient.
CBT has one of the broadest evidence bases of any psychotherapeutic approach. Conditions for which CBT has demonstrated strong clinical efficacy include depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy, insomnia, health anxiety, chronic pain, and adjustment disorder.
CBT is also effective as a maintenance therapy — reducing the risk of relapse in recurrent depression and other chronic conditions.
CBT is built on a collaborative formulation — a shared understanding between therapist and patient of how the patient's difficulties developed and what maintains them.
Core techniques include:
Cognitive restructuring — identifying and examining automatic negative thoughts, cognitive distortions, and underlying beliefs, developing more accurate and balanced thinking.
Behavioural activation — increasing engagement with rewarding activities; particularly important in depression where avoidance and withdrawal maintain low mood.
Exposure — gradual, structured confrontation of feared situations to reduce anxiety and avoidance responses.
Behavioural experiments — testing the accuracy of negative predictions through real-world experience.
Problem-solving — developing practical strategies for managing specific difficulties.
Between sessions, patients work on structured tasks — applying skills to real-life situations. This active engagement between sessions is a core component of how CBT produces change.
CBT is conducted by trained psychotherapists directly in English, Russian and Hebrew — without an interpreter. The depth of the therapeutic relationship and the precision of cognitive work both depend on direct linguistic communication.
CBT is available individually and as part of integrated psychiatric treatment where pharmacotherapy is also involved. The CBT therapist and treating psychiatrist work in close coordination — sharing clinical observations and ensuring the psychotherapeutic and pharmacological components are aligned.
CBT-I (CBT for Insomnia) is available as a specialised protocol for chronic sleep difficulties — the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, more effective than medication in the long term.
CBT may also be combined with other modalities — VR Therapy or mindfulness-based approaches such as MBCT — where the clinical picture calls for an integrative treatment plan.
All CBT at IsraClinic is delivered within the framework of the Psychoergonomic Method — ensuring the approach is built around this specific patient's presentation and goals.
CBT is most appropriate when a patient is motivated to engage actively in the process, when the difficulties are well-suited to a structured approach, and when there is sufficient psychological stability to engage with cognitive and behavioural techniques.
For patients in acute psychiatric crisis or active psychosis, CBT may not be the most appropriate immediate intervention — though it may become indicated as stabilisation is achieved.
IsraClinic accepts patients for in-person consultation in Tel Aviv and online, in English, Russian and Hebrew. No referral is required.
Clinical Programme Curator: Valery Kravitz | IsraClinic | Last reviewed: 2026
CBT is one of the most effective tools in modern psychotherapy — when it is the right fit for the patient and the presenting difficulty. If you would like to discuss whether CBT is appropriate for your situation, our team is available in English, Russian and Hebrew.