The best single book on cognitive behavioral therapy for most readers is Mind Over Mood (2nd edition, Guilford, 2015) by Dennis Greenberger and Christine Padesky, because it teaches CBT step by step with worksheets and is widely used by therapists as client homework. If you want a readable classic about depression, David Burns's Feeling Good is still the book most people start with.
CBT is a structured, skills-based therapy built on the idea that thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence each other, and that changing unhelpful patterns in thinking and behavior can change how you feel. It was developed from Aaron T. Beck's cognitive therapy, and many of the books below come directly out of that tradition.
We checked each title's author, edition and publication date on the publisher's site in September 2026 and listed the current edition. There are no affiliate links on this page.
1. Mind Over Mood, 2nd edition (Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky)
This is a workbook in the full sense: short chapters, worked examples and worksheets that build on each other, from identifying moods to testing automatic thoughts and working on core beliefs. The second edition (Guilford, October 2015) has a foreword by Aaron T. Beck and added chapters on anxiety, goal setting and maintaining progress, according to the publisher.
Because so many therapists use it, it is a good choice if you plan to start CBT and want to arrive already speaking the language. The companion Clinician's Guide to CBT Using Mind Over Mood is written for therapists.
- Publisher: Guilford Press
- Edition: 2nd, October 2015
- Format: workbook, paperback and ebook
Visit Mind Over Mood, 2nd edition (Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky) (opens in a new tab)
2. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (David D. Burns)
First published in 1980 and revised in 1999 (Harper), Feeling Good introduced millions of readers to cognitive therapy. Burns, a psychiatrist, explains the common thinking errors, such as all-or-nothing thinking, mind reading and should statements, and how to talk back to them.
It is long and some sections, including the chapter on antidepressants, reflect when it was last revised. Read it for the core ideas and exercises, and check current medication information with a prescriber.
- Publisher: HarperCollins (first ed. William Morrow, 1980)
- Edition: revised, 1999
- Focus: depression, self-esteem
Visit Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (David D. Burns) (opens in a new tab)
3. Feeling Great (David D. Burns)
Burns's sequel describes TEAM-CBT, his later version of CBT, which adds work on the reasons people resist change before trying to change their thoughts. It was first published by PESI in 2020; PESI currently lists a 2024 paperback from its Bridge City Books imprint.
TEAM-CBT is Burns's own model and has less independent research than standard CBT, so treat it as one clinician's approach rather than the mainstream protocol.
- Publisher: PESI / Bridge City Books
- Published: 2020; paperback September 2024
- Focus: depression and anxiety
4. Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks (Seth J. Gillihan)
Psychologist Seth Gillihan breaks CBT for depression and anxiety into seven weekly lessons: setting goals, getting active, identifying and challenging thoughts, and so on. It was published by Althea Press (Callisto Media) in 2016.
The weekly structure mirrors how a short course of CBT is often organized, which helps readers who need a clear starting point and a finish line. It is lighter on theory than Mind Over Mood.
- Publisher: Althea Press (Callisto Media)
- Published: 2016
- Focus: depression and anxiety
5. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 8th edition (Edmund J. Bourne)
A long-running anxiety workbook that combines cognitive techniques with exposure, relaxation and lifestyle chapters. New Harbinger published the 8th edition in July 2025, and the publisher lists coverage of panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, OCD, PTSD, worry and fear.
It is broad, so most readers use the chapters that fit them rather than reading cover to cover. For OCD in particular, exposure and response prevention is best done with a trained therapist.
- Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
- Edition: 8th, July 2025
- Focus: anxiety disorders
Visit The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 8th edition (Edmund J. Bourne) (opens in a new tab)
6. Thoughts and Feelings, 5th edition (Matthew McKay, Martha Davis and Patrick Fanning)
This workbook (New Harbinger, 5th edition, January 2021, marketed as a 40th anniversary edition) presents about twenty evidence-based techniques, from cognitive restructuring to worry control and values work, and helps you choose the ones that fit your problem.
It works well as a reference to dip into. Readers who want a single guided path may prefer Mind Over Mood.
- Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
- Edition: 5th, January 2021
- Format: workbook
7. The Worry Cure (Robert L. Leahy)
Robert Leahy, a cognitive therapist, lays out a seven-step CBT approach to worry: identifying productive and unproductive worry, accepting uncertainty and testing worried predictions. It was published by Harmony in 2005 and appears in the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies' self-help book listings.
The later chapters apply the steps to specific worries, such as health, relationships and money, which makes it practical for generalized anxiety.
- Publisher: Harmony Books
- Published: 2005
- Focus: worry and generalized anxiety
8. The CBT Toolbox, 2nd edition (Jeff Riggenbach)
A collection of 185 reproducible exercises for anxiety, depression, anger, behaviors and stress, published by PESI in June 2021. It is written mainly for clinicians but is usable by motivated readers.
It is a toolbox rather than a program, so it helps most if you already know which skill you want to practice.
- Publisher: PESI Publishing
- Edition: 2nd, June 2021
- Audience: clinicians and self-help readers
Visit The CBT Toolbox, 2nd edition (Jeff Riggenbach) (opens in a new tab)
9. Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond, 3rd edition (Judith S. Beck)
This is the standard textbook for learning to practice CBT, written by Judith Beck with a foreword by Aaron T. Beck. The third edition (Guilford, 2020) added chapters on the therapeutic relationship and mindfulness and presents recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R) alongside traditional CBT.
It is a professional text, not a self-help book, but curious clients sometimes read it to understand why their therapist structures sessions the way they do.
- Publisher: Guilford Press
- Edition: 3rd, 2020
- Audience: clinicians and students
How we chose
We included books by clinicians trained in CBT, from established psychology publishers, that are in print in September 2026. We favored books that teach skills with exercises, and we listed the current edition from the publisher's page. Books on related approaches such as DBT are on a separate list: Best DBT Workbooks.
Which book fits your situation
A quick way to narrow it down:
- Depression or low mood: Mind Over Mood, Feeling Good, Retrain Your Brain.
- Panic, phobias or broad anxiety: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.
- Constant worry: The Worry Cure.
- You want a menu of techniques: Thoughts and Feelings, The CBT Toolbox.
- You want to understand the therapy itself: Judith Beck's Basics and Beyond.
Reading about CBT versus doing CBT
CBT self-help books have been studied as a form of treatment, and many therapists assign them. But reading a chapter is not the same as practicing a skill every day, and it is easy to skip the parts that feel uncomfortable, which are often the parts that matter most, such as exposure. A therapist helps you choose the right techniques, keeps you accountable and adjusts the plan when you get stuck.
If you are considering therapy, our CBT therapy page explains how sessions work, DBT vs. CBT covers which approach fits which problems, and our guide to CBT therapists in Denver compares local options. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best book to learn CBT on your own?
Mind Over Mood (2nd edition, 2015) by Greenberger and Padesky is the most widely used CBT workbook and teaches the skills in order, with worksheets.
Is Feeling Good still worth reading?
Yes, for its clear explanation of cognitive distortions and how to challenge them. The medication chapter dates from the 1999 revision, so check current information with a prescriber.
Is there a newer edition of Mind Over Mood?
As of September 2026, Guilford lists the second edition (2015) as current.
What CBT book is best for anxiety?
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (8th edition, 2025) covers panic, phobias and generalized anxiety. For chronic worry specifically, try The Worry Cure.
Related reading
- CBT Therapy in Denver
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Denver
- DBT vs CBT: Which Therapy Is Right for You?
- Depression Treatment in Denver
- Best CBT Therapists in Denver (2026)
- Best CBT Apps (2026)
Talk to someone
Mountainside Behavioral Health offers DBT and CBT for adolescents, adults, couples and families in Greenwood Village and by telehealth across Colorado. Consultations are free, and we will tell you if another provider is a better fit. Call (720) 762-4619 or request a consultation.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (free, confidential, 24/7). If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Sources (9)
- Guilford: Mind Over Mood, 2nd ed.
- HarperCollins: Feeling Good
- PESI: Feeling Great
- Seth Gillihan: Retrain Your Brain
- New Harbinger: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 8th ed.
- New Harbinger: Thoughts and Feelings, 5th ed.
- ABCT: The Worry Cure
- PESI: The CBT Toolbox, 2nd ed.
- Guilford: Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond, 3rd ed.