Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy based on the theory that thoughts, behaviors, and feelings interact and that changing our beliefs and actions can lead to changes in our emotions. In CBT, children and teens learn how to recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts that contribute to unwanted feelings and behaviors. They also learn to recognize triggers for maladaptive behaviors and parents are taught how to increase the frequency of adaptive behaviors in their child.

CBT is one of the most researched forms of psychotherapy, and has the most research support for its efficacy. The effectiveness of CBT has been well-established for many childhood disorders, including ADHD, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. In fact, CBT has been shown to be as effective as medication for individuals with depression and anxiety and is superior in preventing relapse.