Q&A: How do I find a therapist?

You have reported on the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy. How do I find a therapist who uses this approach? —M.H., Chadds Ford , Pa.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seeks to change the way you cope with difficult situations or conditions by training you to think about them in a positive, constructive manner. Studies have shown the therapy to be helpful for a number of physical and emotional problems, including chronic pain, depression, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. To find a therapist who uses CBT, ask your doctor for a referral, or consider the therapist locators at the Web sites of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists.

This article first appeared in the August 2008 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

Read more about cognitive behavioral therapy in our Treatment Ratings (subscribers only) for mental health, and find out what to looking for when choosing a doctor (free).