認知行動療法（CBT）がメンタルヘルスの問題に対する治療法として確立されるまでを振り返り、効果が期待できる疾患やさまざまな技法を概説し、今後の進展や課題にも言及します。メンタルヘルスの不調を訴える人が増加する中、従来の治療法にかかる高額な医療費が、少ない費用でより多くの患者を救える可能性を持つCBT再考のきっかけとなりました。CBTがより一般的なものとなるために必要な療法家養成の問題、知識や技能はどのように担保されるべきかなども考察します。
 

　　　
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological therapy. It is not a unitary approach, but instead has evolved through a range of approaches that share a common underpinning model of cognition (thought) and behaviour being important in understanding and alleviating psychological distress. While the earliest approaches focused on modifying observable behaviour, later versions emphasized cognitive processes. Most recently, the third wave approaches in CBT have moved the focus away from the content of an individual's thoughts to their relationship with their thoughts, and the processes underlying thinking.
　　　
This Very Short Introduction gives an overview of what CBT is, where it came from, what it does, and when it can be used. It explores how one of the driving forces behind CBT's success and continued adaptation has been its basis in empiricism, and analyses how it must continue to evolve to meet future challenges. Looking to the future, Freda McManus also discusses how the scale of mental health problems and relative costs of traditional therapy formats have prompted investigations into alternative formats of CBT that have the potential to reach broader audiences, globally. She also considers the challenges of scale in training the workforce required to roll out such interventions, as well as those of determining the best ways of monitoring their competence and effectiveness.