If you’re searching for a cognitive behavioral therapist, the process of finding someone may feel a bit overwhelming.
The good news is that there are several trusted platforms that make it easy to connect with a qualified CBT therapist—in this article, we’ve taken a look at some of the best options, and explained how to use them.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Near Me
Below, we’ve reviewed three of the best places to find a cognitive behavioral therapist near you or online.
1. BetterHelp
BetterHelp connects you with qualified CBT therapists through a flexible, easy-to-use online platform, making support accessible from wherever you are.
All therapists hold relevant degrees, have at least three years of clinical experience, and are fully credentialed by their respective professional organizations. Many of them specialize in CBT and related approaches, and you can easily connect with a CBT therapist after signing up.
The platform connects users with licensed therapists through a flexible and accessible digital format, offering support for a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and more.
Getting started is simple. After completing a short questionnaire, you’ll be matched with a therapist based on your preferences—such as your goals, challenges, or preferred therapeutic approach, including CBT.
Unlike traditional in-office therapy, BetterHelp allows you to message your therapist at any time and book in sessions around your schedule. The platform also makes it easy to switch therapists with no questions asked, if you ever feel the need to.
Therapy sessions can take place via video call, phone call, live chat, or text message, allowing you to choose the communication method that works best for your lifestyle.
BetterHelp is especially useful if you’re seeking flexibility, struggle to find a qualified CBT therapist in your area, or prefer the convenience of receiving therapy from home.
Plus, the platform can be a lot less expensive than seeing a CBT therapist in person, depending on professionals’ rates in your area.
2. ABCT Directory
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) has been promoting evidence-based mental health care for over 50 years, and their online therapist directory allows you to connect with licensed professionals trained in CBT.
You can use the directory to search by zip code, age group, and issues you’re facing, making it easier to find a therapist who meets your needs. All listed providers are ABCT members and are qualified to provide behavioral and cognitive therapies.
The ABCT directory also enables you to find a therapist with specific experience helping certain groups of people, such as children, veterans, and others seeking behavioral health care.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the ABCT directory functions solely as a therapist listing platform.
It doesn’t offer direct booking, messaging, CBT tools (such as worksheets), or therapist matching. You’ll need to contact therapists individually to ask about their availability, supported insurance plans, and the services they provide.
3. Online-Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com is a structured digital platform built entirely around CBT. This platform offers a full set of interactive tools to help users work through challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and negative thinking patterns.
Their service is designed to be self-paced, providing more autonomy, with support from a qualified therapist throughout the process.
After signing up, you’re matched with a CBT therapist based on your concerns (anxiety, depression, etc.).
The platform then guides you through a step-by-step CBT course that includes instructional sections, worksheets, journaling tools, and an activity planner.
For instance, if you experience anxiety issues, as a first step, your CBT therapist may help you learn how to identify triggers (e.g. being in crowded places) and reframe negative thinking.
You’ll complete daily worksheets, track progress in your journal, and set goals in your activity planner—all while receiving feedback from your therapist.
You can message your therapist anytime and have one live session per week via video, phone, or chat, depending on your subscription plan.
One limitation is that Online-Therapy.com doesn’t accept insurance, and some features—such as live sessions and full therapist support—are only available with higher-tier subscription plans.
This platform can be suitable for people who enjoy structure, written exercises, and a flexible self-help format with professional guidance, but may not suit those seeking frequent real-time interaction or psychiatric care (e.g. medication management).
How To Find A CBT Therapist
In this section, we’ve explained what you need to know when looking for a therapist who provides CBT.
Best Places to Find Cognitive Behavioral Therapists
Finding a qualified CBT therapist can feel overwhelming at first, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, there are several trusted sources that help you connect with a qualified therapist.
Among the platforms discussed in this article, the ABCT directory lists licensed and experienced CBT therapists, allowing you to filter by ZIP code, age group, and treatment focus. While it doesn’t offer direct booking, it provides a useful overview of available professionals in your town or city.
In contrast, Online-Therapy.com and BetterHelp are online platforms designed for those who prefer the convenience of remote therapy. These services match you with a licensed CBT therapist based on your concerns and include regular live video sessions and ongoing support through text-based messaging.
Lastly, don’t overlook more traditional methods of finding a therapist or counselor—your primary care physician, psychiatrist, or a trusted contact may be able to recommend someone.
You can also check your insurance provider’s website, which may include a directory of in-network CBT therapists, significantly reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
What to Look For in a CBT Therapist
Finding the right therapist for you can greatly improve your progress as you begin to get help with your mental health.
At a basic level, it can be a good idea to look for someone who is experienced with your concerns (e.g. anxiety, depression), and who uses a structured CBT approach. And crucially, it is important that your therapist holds a valid professional license (e.g., in psychology, psychiatry, or social work).
On platforms like BetterHelp, you’ll generally be matched with a therapist licensed in your state.
Most CBT therapists have specialized training or certification in CBT, using evidence-based techniques. Some also focus on specific issues like bipolar disorder, trauma, or psychosis.
Additionally, you might like to consider a CBT therapist’s communication style and personality. For instance, some people prefer a therapist who is warm and nurturing, while others may respond best to someone who is more direct and offers a more structured approach.
It can be difficult to judge a therapist’s personality before beginning treatment, which is why online platforms like BetterHelp have you complete a questionnaire before matching you with a therapist who meets your needs. And if it’s not a good fit, you can easily switch to another therapist at any time you like.
It is also worth considering logistical factors, such as whether the therapist offers a brief phone consultation or trial session, to give you a chance to ask questions and get a feel for whether the therapist is a good fit for you.
Other practical considerations include whether the therapist offers online or in-person therapy, their therapeutic approach (e.g. CBT, psychodynamic, etc.), availability, session length, and fee structure. Some therapists accept insurance, while others operate on a private pay basis.
Online vs In-Person Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
One of the most debated topics in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, is whether online therapy can offer the same level of effectiveness as traditional, in-person therapy.
Research generally supports that for many mental health concerns, online CBT can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy, particularly for conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, the right format for you will depend on your personal needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Each therapy format has different strengths and weaknesses.
Pros of Online Therapy
- Sessions can be conducted from anywhere, saving travel time. This can be helpful if you’re busy with work, or looking after loved ones.
- Online therapists often offer lower prices if you live in a city with a high cost of living, making therapy more affordable. It can also be easier to access sliding-scale therapy (which is priced based on your ability to pay) over the internet.
- Online therapy is ideal for those who live in rural or underserved areas, and for people with anxiety (especially social anxiety) who feel uncomfortable attending in-person therapy.
- Attending therapy sessions from home can help reduce the stigma you may feel about seeing a psychologist compared to in-person therapy.
Cons of Online Therapy
- Poor internet connectivity may disrupt sessions.
- More severe cases or crisis-level issues may require in-person interventions.
- Some online therapy formats, such as text messaging, may lack the depth of in-person dialogue.
Pros of In-Person Therapy
- Face-to-face contact can provide more detail to the therapist, in terms of a patient’s body language and emotional state, compared to online sessions.
- Attending therapy away from home in a designated space can sometimes offer a sense of emotional safety and structure, making it easier to open up.
- CBT techniques such as exposure (e.g. the person faces their fears in their imagination or in real time) are sometimes more effective when conducted in person.
Cons of In-Person Therapy
- In rural or underserved areas, it can be harder to find a therapist who is a good fit for you.
- Transportation, childcare, or inflexible working hours can make regular in-person attendance difficult.
- There may be long waiting periods before beginning treatment in certain areas, due to high demand.
What to Expect from a CBT Session
While some debate exists among professionals about how rigid or flexible a therapy session’s structure should be, CBT generally follows a clear format.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to provide a structured and supportive space where you can gradually work toward specific goals. Understanding the stages of therapy can help you feel more confident and more strongly engage in the process.
The CBT therapy process is divided into three main phases:
Initial Phase
- Mood Check: your therapist begins by checking in on your recent mood, using your feedback and different psychological tools.
- Agenda Setting: together, you will set 2–3 key topics for the session (e.g. a recent conflict, a recurring thought). Urgent issues, like suicidal thoughts, are prioritized.
- Bridge (Update and Homework Review): you will briefly share what went well, what was difficult, and how you applied tools from the last session. Your therapist will review the homework and discuss any obstacles.
- Prioritization: based on your update, you will agree on the first agenda item to focus on—especially if something pressing has emerged (e.g. sleep disruption or suicidal ideation).
Middle Phase
- Discuss Agenda Item 1: you and your therapist explore the main topic, identifying unhelpful thoughts (e.g. “I will fail the exam”), core beliefs (e.g. “I am unlovable”), or behavioral patterns (e.g. “I only feel safe at home”). Techniques such as cognitive restructuring are used to develop more balanced thinking and coping strategies.
- Discuss Agenda Item 2: if time permits, a second topic is addressed.
End Phase
- Summarize: key takeaways and skills are reviewed to reinforce learning and motivation.
- Homework/Action Plan: you will agree on a manageable task (e.g. tracking thoughts, trying a skill) that supports your therapy goals.
- Feedback: you are invited to share if the session felt helpful or if anything felt unclear, helping your therapist tailor future sessions.
CBT vs Other Common Types Of Therapy
Psychotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. Therapists use different approaches to suit your unique needs (e.g., learning to set healthy boundaries). Choosing the right approach is key to effective treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most structured and well-researched therapy approaches. It’s built on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected.
According to this model, it’s not the event itself, but how you think about the event that affects how you feel and act. For example, if a friend doesn’t reply to your message, you might think “they’re ignoring me” and feel upset—or you might think “they must be busy” and feel fine.
Psychodynamic
In contrast, psychodynamic therapy is based on the notion that unconscious thoughts and emotions influence behavior. It often involves exploring childhood trauma, including unresolved conflicts and emotional wounds (e.g. fear of abandonment or difficulty trusting others).
Unlike CBT, it’s more open-ended and insight-oriented, aiming to explore emotions and long-term patterns rather than providing symptom relief alone.
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy (also called person-centered therapy) focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and finding meaning in life. The therapist creates a warm, non-judgmental space where you’re free to talk about your feelings and values.
If you feel lost and unfulfilled, a humanistic therapist may help you with what truly matters to you in life by exploring your values and strengths.
It’s less structured than CBT and doesn’t challenge thoughts directly; instead, it supports self-acceptance and growth.
Conclusion
Finding the right cognitive behavioral therapist may feel overwhelming at first, but today there are more resources than ever, both online and in person, to support you in your search.
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, low mood, or simply navigating a life challenge, reaching out can open the door to relief, clarity, and personal growth. Even a single conversation with a professional can offer insight and support when you need it most.
If you’re still not sure how best to find a good CBT therapist for you, leave us a comment below, and we’ll get back to you.
