Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Duke Health behavioral health experts offer a comprehensive range of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) to help you recognize and transform unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. We work collaboratively with you to understand your values and goals and to develop a personalized treatment plan that supports a more fulfilling, balanced, and productive life.

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Nonjudgmental, Compassionate Care for Mental Health Disorders

Our approaches treat common and complex behavioral health conditions and concerns including:

Mood and anxiety disorders
Trauma-related conditions
Impulse-control and personality disorders
Eating disorders
Substance use issues
Adjustment to life transitions
Relationship problems

We customize CBT to fit your goals and needs, and we coordinate with other behavioral health services, including medication management, when appropriate. At Duke Health, you can find strength through support, learn practical strategies for change, and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

Our Locations

Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.

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Treatments

Cognitive behavioral therapies come in many forms, and we personalize your treatment so that therapy directly targets what matters most to you. Ongoing treatment usually includes weekly 45-minute visits. We monitor your progress and provide suggestions on how to practice the skills you learn between visits.

CBT for Depression and Bipolar Mood Disorders

CBT treats mood disorders by identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and increasing your participation in pleasant and valued activities.

CBT for Anxiety Disorders

In CBT for anxiety — whether it’s social anxiety, panic disorder, or a specific phobia — we help you understand your stress response and learn practical strategies to manage the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that arise in response to your anxiety triggers.

Prolonged Exposure

This form of CBT helps you process traumatic events and reduce trauma-related psychological distress. Research shows prolonged exposure therapy can result in significant improvement in PTSD symptoms.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

Cognitive processing therapy helps you work through the impact of a traumatic event by exploring how it has affected your thoughts and beliefs. You’ll work with your therapist to develop healthier perspectives about yourself, others, and the world — supporting your long-term healing and recovery.

Exposure and Response Prevention

In a safe and supportive setting, we gradually help you face the situations or thoughts that trigger your anxiety while interrupting the urge to perform compulsive behaviors. This process will help you to break the cycle of compulsive rituals and regain freedom and control in your everyday life.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is designed to help you better manage intense emotion, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships. It is a common treatment for people with borderline personality disorder. DBT may include both weekly individual problem-solving sessions as well as a weekly skills group where you learn techniques in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Additional telephone consultation calls with your therapist help you apply these skills in everyday life.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Mindfulness therapies teach you to experience and respond to unwanted thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in a neutral, nonjudgmental way. Mindfulness-based interventions give you the tools to live in the present moment with less emotional suffering, more connection to areas of gratitude, and a greater emphasis on self-compassion.

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855-855-6484

Tests

Initial Assessment

We gather detailed information about your medical and psychological history, your personal goals, and your biggest challenges so we can work together to create a CBT treatment plan with clear, meaningful targets for change. We also offer assessment services for individuals who are seeking an evaluation only, without follow-up treatment at this time.

Ongoing CBT Assessment

We use periodic assessments to track your progress and symptoms, ensuring that we are moving together toward a successful outcome.

Consistently Ranked Among the Nation’s Best Hospitals

Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why we are recognized as the best hospital in North Carolina, and nationally ranked in 11 adult and 9 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2025–2026.

Why Choose Duke

A Personalized Approach

Our behavioral health experts recommend the specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy best suited to your treatment needs so your individual plan is tailored to your goals.

Proven Results

We deliver cognitive behavioral therapies that have been proven through research and clinical experience to significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Specialist Referrals

When indicated, we can guide you toward the right level of care including specialty programs, partial hospitalization, or in-patient hospitalization to ensure you get the support you need. We’ll help coordinate your referral so you can begin your treatment as quickly and smoothly as possible.

This page was medically reviewed on 01/30/2026 by

Katherine L. Applegate, PhD | Clinical Psychologist