Can I teach myself cognitive behavioral therapy?

If you’re interested in CBT for anxiety or depression and you aren’t able to see a CBT therapist, take heart—you may not need to. There are multiple options for doing CBT without a therapist, including self-help books and Internet-based treatment. Many studies have shown that self-directed CBT can be very effective.

Can you use CBT on yourself?

Many studies have found that self-directed CBT can be very effective. Two reviews that each included over 30 studies (see references below) found that self-help treatment significantly reduced both anxiety and depression, especially when the treatments used CBT techniques.

How expensive is CBT?

Therapy. While effective for treating anxiety disorders, cognitive-behavioral therapy, usually known as CBT, can be expensive, sometimes costing $100 or more per hour. Some therapists or clinics offer therapy on a sliding scale, which means that charges fluctuate based on income.

How can I get mental help with no money?

Mental health services: How to get treatment if you can’t afford…

Seek in-network first — if you don’t have healthcare, turn to Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Private therapists will often work on a sliding scale — as low as $10/hour.
See if you’re eligible for Medicaid for free therapy.
Your local training institutes may provide free sessions for up to two years.

When should you stop going to therapy?

Ideally, therapy ends when all therapy goals have been met. If you entered therapy to treat a fear of dogs and you no longer fear dogs, your work is complete. Or you want to communicate better with your partner and you’ve learned to navigate your disagreements constructively, the goals are met.

Can you talk to a therapist online?

Online therapy is a way to communicate with a licensed mental health professional over the phone or computer. Otherwise, online therapists are licensed mental health professionals, and most provide similar treatments online as they do in-person.