SummaryThe scientific approach advocated in CBT has increased its credibility with more biologically orientated therapists (who have remained sceptical of other psychodynamic models), making the approach acceptable to a broad group of psychiatrists. There is a rich clinical literature describing the techniques and applications of CBT in a wide variety of settings. The acquisition of a selection of the above texts offers a useful starting point, and scanning of major British and American psychiatry and psychology journals is likely to turn up at least one important paper every few months. Those with a commitment to research would benefit from subscribing to the journal Cognitive Therapy and Research.CBT does not aim to be a panacea for every disorder, and cognitive therapists are critical of its overzealous use by inadequately trained or poorly informed therapists. To practise effectively, the therapist needs a coherent cognitive model of the problem being treated and, as such, must explore the theoretical background literature and critically evaluate the data from process and outcome research. Hopefully, this ‘scientist-practitioner’ approach, tracing the emergence and development of the theory and principles of the model underpinning the therapy, means that cognitive therapists practise what they preach.