Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can have numerous benefits for patients, including:

• Decreased psychological distress
  
  
• Improved pain management
  
  
• Increased self-efficacy (the belief in one’s capability to organize and execute the sources of action required to manage prospective situations)
  
  
• Better quality of life and function

Some research has shown that patients treated with CBT have fewer visits to healthcare providers.

Few risks have been associated with CBT. However, some patients treated with CBT experience relapse (returning to a behavior after it had been stopped for a period of time). This occurs because patients tend to forget information or discontinue skills learned over time. Relapse can be treated by follow-up therapy sessions. CBT is cautioned in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disease or personality disorders because it may initially exacerbate these conditions.