Duration, frequency, and format of CBT sessions vary greatly, depending on the type of problem being treated, the therapist’s availability, and the client’s preferences.
Typically, treatment consists of 10 to 20 sessions, usually occurring weekly. However, individuals with complex presentations (e.g., significant comorbidity, personality disorders) may take longer than 20 sessions to treat, and individuals with very-focused problems (e.g., specific phobias) can often be treated in a much smaller number of sessions. Treatment may occur individually or in groups. Although CBT is often administered on an outpatient basis, there are also inpatient and day-treatment programs based on a CBT approach.
CBT sessions usually begin with the therapist and client collaborating to set an agenda for the meeting. The bulk of each session is spent teaching, reviewing, or applying specific CBT strategies to the client’s problems. Early sessions are often more didactic, with the therapist describing how to use particular techniques, while in later sessions more time is spent using the new strategies. Homework is often assigned to encourage clients to review and practice the CBT strategies on a daily basis.