Glossary

Term · Pregnancy: Mind and Life

cognitive behavioral therapy

Also: CBT, talk therapy

A structured talk therapy that helps people notice and change thought and behavior patterns that feed anxiety or low mood. It is one of the first-line options for perinatal depression and anxiety.

In plain words

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a structured form of talk therapy. A therapist helps you notice thoughts and habits that keep anxiety or low mood going, and then work on changing them step by step. Sessions are usually scheduled and goal-focused, and they often include practice between visits. CBT is one of the most studied therapies for depression and anxiety, including in pregnancy and after birth. It is different from medication, although the two can be used together. Many therapists offer it by video or phone. Your provider can help you find a therapist who has experience with perinatal mental health.

The deeper version

CBT is a time-limited, manualized psychotherapy targeting maladaptive cognitions and behaviors, with the core mechanism of cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation. In , meta-analyses of randomized trials show moderate effects versus usual care, with comparable outcomes to . ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4 (2023) names psychotherapy, including CBT and interpersonal therapy, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as first-line options and frames the decision as shared. Digitally delivered CBT has been trialed in perinatal samples with smaller effects than face-to-face delivery. Access, cost, and therapist availability are the main practical barriers.

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Sources

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Clinical Practice Guideline on perinatal depression, 2023
  • Dennis CL et al. — Psychological interventions for treating postpartum depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013

The Mothership Topic Wiki is general information for mothers and the people who care for them. It is not medical, legal, or mental-health advice and does not create a provider relationship. Experiences posted by members are their own. In an emergency call 911. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.