Many people are unfamiliar with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Unlike traditional psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” CBT is usually a shorter-term, more solutions-focused form of therapy, intended to help patients manage or change specific behavioral patterns, thought patterns, or both.

A subtype of CBT, exposure therapy, can be used to treat acute fears and phobias; the CBT model has shown to help a wide range of other issues, from depression and anxiety to eating disorders.

Aleta G. Angelosante, PhD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone, explains to New York Magazine’s “The Cut” that when considering CBT for yourself or your child, it’s important to consider your motives. Whereas talk therapy might be appropriate for someone who wants to speak with someone to get a deeper understanding of themselves, “if you have a clear problem you want to address—whether it’s social anxiety, or a fear of flying, or OCD,” CBT might be a better option, Dr. Angelosante says.

Read more from “The Cut”.