Reviewed byKsenia Voronova, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides it
- a clinic psychotherapist (medical doctor) or psychologist with specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy
- Format
- individual sessions in person in Almaty or online, group CBT, and dedicated modules for insomnia and anxiety
- Duration
- each session lasts 50–60 minutes once a week; a course is 8–20 sessions, followed by maintenance sessions every 2–4 weeks
- Confidentiality
- medical and professional confidentiality, anonymous care, no entry in the state dispensary registry; your diaries and notes stay with you
- When it’s urgent
- suicidal thoughts or an intention to harm yourself — CBT is not a substitute for emergency help: call 112; for young people, the helpline is 150
- Outcome
- skills for managing anxiety and mood that stay with you long after the course ends
What to know
In Almaty, CBT is most often chosen by people who value a clear plan and tangible results: IT professionals, engineers, medical students, entrepreneurs. They don’t want to spend years talking about their childhood — they want to understand why anxiety hits them every evening in traffic on Al-Farabi Avenue, and what they can do about it next week. CBT answers exactly that need: a course has a beginning, a middle, and an end, goals are defined concretely, and progress is tracked with rating scales and diaries.
This is not a set of “just think positive” tips. CBT is built on a model in which it’s not events themselves but the way we interpret them that shapes our feelings and actions. The method is included in WHO, NICE, and APA guidelines as one of the most thoroughly studied treatments for anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, and insomnia, and as part of addiction treatment. This page is about the method itself: how a session is structured, what homework involves, who CBT is a good fit for, and who would be better served by a different approach.
Who CBT is right for
- you notice that the same thoughts keep triggering anxiety or a low mood
- you want a clear treatment plan and measurable results, not just talking
- you avoid situations — trips, meetings, public speaking — and it’s making your life smaller
- you’ve struggled with insomnia for a long time, and sleeping pills no longer help or worry you
- you’re willing to do assignments between sessions, even just 15–20 minutes a day
- a doctor has confirmed an anxiety disorder, depression, or OCD and recommended psychotherapy
- after addiction treatment, you need to learn how to cope with cravings and relapses
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Why CBT works: the model behind the method
At the core of CBT is the connection between a situation, a thought, an emotion, a physical reaction, and behavior. For example: your boss hasn’t replied to a message — the thought “I did something wrong” — anxiety and tension in your body — you spend the night rereading the conversation and can’t sleep. In the morning you feel drained, work less effectively, and the belief “I can’t cope” grows stronger. CBT teaches you to break this cycle at any link: in how you interpret things, in your body’s reaction, or in your behavior.
The thoughts that set off these cycles are called automatic thoughts: they appear quickly and feel like obvious truth. Behind them lie deeper beliefs about yourself and the world, shaped by experience. The therapist doesn’t argue with them or impose “correct” thoughts — together with you, they test these thoughts like hypotheses: what’s the evidence, what are the alternatives, what would happen if you acted differently. Behavioral experiments provide experiences that are more convincing than any words.
How a CBT course works at Akalam
At the first session, the specialist takes your history, works with you to define the problem and goals, and offers questionnaires to measure your baseline. Next, an individual model is built: what triggers your difficulty and what keeps it going. Every following session has a set structure: a brief check-in on how you’re doing, a review of the homework, the main topic, and a new assignment. Between sessions, you keep a thought diary and try out behavioral experiments. The online format works for most modules.
CBT is not started as the only treatment for acute psychosis, severe depression with thoughts of death, marked intoxication, or withdrawal — in these cases you first need help from a psychiatrist or addiction physician, and if there is a threat to life, call 103 or 112. The method may also be less suitable if you’re looking for an in-depth exploration of your personal history or are unwilling to do assignments. In such cases, the specialist will suggest a different approach without pushing CBT.
How we help
Cognitive restructuring
Working with automatic thoughts. You learn to write down the situation, the thought, and the emotion, rate how strongly you believe the thought as a percentage, look for evidence for and against it, and come up with a more balanced thought. After a few weeks, this skill becomes a habit, and you can work through a thought on your own, without paper — in traffic, at work, or before bed.
Behavioral activation
A key method for depression and apathy. Instead of waiting for the mood to come, you plan small activities that bring pleasure or a sense of accomplishment: a walk along the Vesnovka River, a call to a friend, tidying your desk. Activity restores mood before motivation arrives — not the other way around.
Exposure and behavioral experiments
For anxiety, phobias, and OCD, you gradually face what you’ve been avoiding and check whether your fears actually come true. The steps are agreed on in advance and progress from easier to harder. The specialist helps you tolerate the discomfort and not fall back into avoidance, which keeps anxiety going. The pace is always agreed with you.
CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)
A dedicated protocol recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It includes a sleep diary, restricting time in bed, the “bed is only for sleep” rule, and work with anxious thoughts about sleep. It usually takes 4–8 sessions, and the effect lasts longer than with sleeping pills. It is also suitable for older adults.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythCBT is just positive thinking
FactCBT doesn’t ask you to convince yourself that everything is fine. The goal is to think realistically: to test thoughts against facts rather than mood. Sometimes this makes it clear that a problem is real — and then you plan concrete steps to deal with it.
MythCBT only treats symptoms and doesn’t address the causes
FactThe method starts with current problems, but in later stages it addresses the deeper beliefs and experiences they grew out of. This helps lower the risk of symptoms returning after the course ends.
MythHomework is optional
FactIt’s the assignments between sessions that carry new skills over into real life. Without them, progress is noticeably slower. Assignments are tailored to your schedule and usually take only a little time each day. The amount is discussed in advance.
Prices: Cognitive behavioral therapy
| Cognitive behavioral therapy | 18 000 ₸ |
| Psychotherapist session (50 min) | 14 990 ₸ |
| Psychologist session (50 min) | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family session (80 min) | 25 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
How many CBT sessions will I need?
For a specific problem — such as panic attacks or insomnia — often 6–12 sessions. For depression, OCD, or social anxiety — 12–20. When several problems are combined, it takes longer. At the first session, the specialist will give you an estimate, and after a few sessions you’ll review your progress together.
Can CBT be combined with medication?
Yes. For moderate and severe conditions, the combination is often more effective than either approach on its own. Medication can be prescribed only by a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist who is a medical doctor. If you’re already taking medication, mention it at the first session so that the Akalam specialists can coordinate your plan.
Does CBT work online?
Yes. Online CBT has been well studied, and for many conditions it is nearly as effective as in-person therapy. It’s convenient for people who live in Boralday, Talgar, or the upper part of the city and don’t want to lose an hour in traffic. All you need is a quiet place and a stable internet connection.
What if I can’t manage the homework?
This is discussed without any blame. The specialist works out with you what got in the way and simplifies the assignment. Sometimes the difficulty with the assignment itself — for example, procrastination or fear of making mistakes — becomes useful material to work on in the session.
Is CBT suitable for teenagers?
Yes. There are adapted CBT protocols for teenagers with anxiety, depression, and OCD. Sessions are simpler and more visual, and some of them may include parents. It’s best to start with a consultation, where the specialist will assess whether the teenager is ready for this work.
How is CBT different from other types of psychotherapy?
CBT is more structured and focused on current problems and skills, with clear goals and timeframes. Other approaches, such as psychodynamic or systemic family therapy, pay more attention to past experiences or relationships. The specialist will help you choose the approach that best fits your needs.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy