Reviewed byKsenia Voronova, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy; together with a psychiatrist when needed
- Format
- individual sessions in person in Almaty and Astana or online by video; group programs on specific topics are also available
- Duration
- 50-minute sessions once a week; a typical course is 8–20 sessions, longer for chronic and complex conditions
- Confidentiality
- medical confidentiality, anonymous care, no entry in the state registry; your notes and diaries stay with you
- When it is urgent
- suicidal thoughts, acute psychosis, severe depression with refusal to eat — call 112 or 103; CBT is added after stabilization
- Outcome
- fewer symptoms, skills for managing anxiety and mood, and an action plan in case things get worse
What to know
Patients often ask me: “Is CBT just talking about positive thinking?” No. It is a method with a clear structure, with goals, a plan and measurable results. We do not try to persuade a person to “think good thoughts”; instead, we explore together which automatic thoughts come up in a difficult moment, what the person does next, and how those actions — unintentionally — keep anxiety or low mood going. Then, step by step, we try out other ways of responding.
A key feature of CBT is the active role of the patient. Between sessions there are small assignments: writing down thoughts in a difficult situation, running a behavioral experiment, bringing back one enjoyable activity a week. It is this practice that turns understanding into a skill. That is why CBT suits people who are ready to take part, not just talk. In return, they gain tools that stay with them after the course ends and help them cope on their own.
Who CBT is especially well suited for
- people with recurring anxiety, “just in case” worrying and constant tension
- panic attacks and fear of having another one, avoiding public transport and crowds
- mild to moderate depression, apathy, harsh self-criticism
- intrusive thoughts and rituals, social anxiety, fear of being judged
- chronic insomnia, when sleeping pills do not solve the problem
- those who want concrete tools and are ready to do assignments between sessions
- preventing a return of depression or anxiety after treatment
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
How CBT works and why it is effective
CBT is based on a simple model: an event in itself does not determine our feelings — how we interpret it does. A friend who is late for a meeting can trigger anxiety (“something has happened”), resentment (“he doesn’t care”) or calm (“traffic”). In anxiety and depression, interpretations become one-sided and automatic, and behavior — avoidance, checking, withdrawing — reinforces them. CBT helps you notice this and test it in practice.
The effectiveness of CBT has been studied in a large number of controlled trials, which is why international guidelines from NICE, the APA and the WHO include it as a first-line treatment for many disorders. The method does not rely on lengthy exploration of childhood, although past experience is taken into account if it explains current beliefs. The main focus is on the here and now: what keeps the problem going today and what can be changed as early as this week.
How a CBT course works at Akalam
The first 1–2 sessions are an assessment: the specialist asks about the problem, offers questionnaires to measure anxiety or mood, and together you draw up a diagram of how thoughts, feelings and actions keep the difficulties going. Then you set specific goals. Each following session has an agenda: reviewing the assignment, learning a new technique and planning the week. At the end of the course, you prepare a relapse prevention plan. CBT adapts well to the online format, and many patients from other cities complete the entire course by video.
CBT is not used as the only treatment during acute psychosis, severe depression with marked slowing (psychomotor retardation), significant intoxication or withdrawal, or acute suicidal intent — stabilization with a psychiatrist comes first, sometimes in hospital. If you have suicidal thoughts, call 112; children and young people can call the 150 helpline. Later, CBT can be added as part of recovery.
How we help
Cognitive restructuring
The person learns to notice automatic thoughts, write them down and test them: what evidence is there “for” and “against,” how a friend would view this situation, which conclusion is more realistic. The goal is not to replace a bad thought with a good one, but to make thinking more flexible and accurate. Over time, this happens almost effortlessly.
Behavioral activation
In depression, a person stops doing things that used to bring pleasure and meaning, and this makes them feel even worse. Behavioral activation is a gradual, planned return to meaningful activities, starting with the simplest ones. Mood begins to lift after actions, not the other way around. It is one of the most thoroughly studied techniques for depression.
Exposure
In anxiety disorders, panic, OCD and phobias, avoidance keeps fear going. Exposure means gradually and voluntarily facing frightening situations without safety behaviors. The anxiety subsides on its own, and the person gains a new experience of safety. Exercises are arranged as a “ladder” from easy to difficult and are always agreed with the patient.
CBT for insomnia and self-regulation skills
For chronic insomnia, a dedicated program called CBT-I is used: a sleep schedule, restricting time in bed and working with thoughts about sleep. NICE recommends it as first-line treatment, before sleeping pills. The course also includes breathing techniques, muscle relaxation and problem-solving skills that will be useful in any stressful situation.
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 “think positive”
FactCBT aims for realistic rather than positive thinking. If a situation is genuinely hard, no one will suggest you see it as good — the point is to see it more accurately and find workable steps.
MythCBT treats the symptoms, not the cause
FactCBT works with the mechanisms that keep the problem going right now — beliefs, avoidance, habits. Changing these mechanisms reduces the risk of symptoms returning. Deeper core beliefs about oneself are also addressed when needed.
MythIf you take medication, you don’t need CBT
FactMedication and CBT often complement each other. Medication reduces the severity of symptoms faster, while CBT skills help maintain the results after it is stopped. The combination is chosen by the psychiatrist and psychotherapist together with the patient.
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 is CBT different from a regular psychotherapist consultation?
A consultation is a general assessment and a choice of method. CBT is a specific, structured method: each session has an agenda, there are assignments and progress is measured. If the specialist suggests CBT during the consultation, further work follows that plan. You can also choose CBT straight away if you know that is what you want.
Do I have to do homework?
Assignments are an important part of the method; without them, results are usually weaker. But they are small, take 10–20 minutes a day and are chosen together with you. If something does not work out, it is not a failure but material for discussion at the next session: why it was difficult and how to adjust the assignment.
How soon will I see results?
Many people notice the first changes after 4–6 sessions, especially with panic and insomnia. Lasting results for depression and anxiety disorders usually take shape by the end of the course. We repeat the questionnaires regularly so that progress can be seen not only in how you feel but also in numbers.
Does CBT work online?
Yes, CBT is one of the most thoroughly studied therapies in the online format. Video sessions allow you to complete a full course from any city in Kazakhstan. You receive diagrams, diaries and assignments electronically. Online sessions are also convenient for practicing exercises related to your home environment.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Akalam observes medical confidentiality, and you can book anonymously without being placed on a registry. Your notes and diaries stay with you; the specialist sees only what you choose to share. Exceptions are possible only when there is a threat to life and in cases expressly provided for by the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Can a teenager have CBT?
Yes, CBT is used with teenagers for anxiety, depression and OCD, with techniques adapted to their age. Parents usually take part in some sessions so they can support the skills at home. If there are signs of self-harm or severe depression, a consultation with a psychiatrist specializing in adolescents is needed first.
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