Reviewed by: Madina Abdrakhmanova, addiction psychologist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who provides care
- a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy
- Format
- individual video sessions, homework and digital worksheets
- Duration
- 50-minute sessions, usually once a week; a course of 8–20 sessions depending on your needs
- Confidentiality
- no registration and no full name required; confidentiality under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- When it's an emergency
- suicidal thoughts, psychosis, a threat to life — call 103, 112 or 150
- Outcome
- fewer symptoms and a set of skills you can apply on your own
What you should know
CBT is often chosen by people who want clear, practical work with goals, a plan and measurable results. Here is how it works with us: you message us on WhatsApp — for example, “panic attacks on the metro and in the car” — and within 24 hours a CBT specialist joins a video call. At the first session, they ask about your symptoms, when they occur and what you have already tried, and then you set goals together — concrete ones, such as “commute to work calmly” or “fall asleep without tossing and turning for an hour.”
In Almaty, online CBT is especially convenient for people whose days are scheduled down to the minute: you can have a session at lunchtime in your office on Al-Farabi Avenue or in the evening at home in Auezov district without wasting time on travel. In addition, many CBT exercises — thought records and behavioral experiments — are done in real life, and a video session helps you review them while they are still fresh. Psychiatry Online matches you with a CBT-trained specialist based on your needs.
Problems CBT Can Help With
- frequent anxiety, constantly replaying thoughts and expecting the worst
- panic attacks and avoiding places where they have already happened
- low mood, apathy, self-criticism and a sense of hopelessness
- intrusive thoughts and rituals that are hard to stop
- insomnia that lasts for weeks and doesn't improve after a weekend
- fear of public speaking, social situations or being judged by others
- urges to drink, gamble or overeat as a way of coping with emotions
If at least two points apply and the state lasts longer than two weeks, it is worth seeing a specialist. Phone consultation is free. If life is at risk, call 112 or 103.
How CBT Works and Why It Is Effective
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on a simple idea: our emotions and actions depend largely on how we interpret what is happening. If a person habitually thinks “I won't cope” or “something terrible is about to happen,” anxiety intensifies, and behavior such as avoidance reinforces the problem. CBT helps break this vicious circle by working on thoughts and actions at the same time.
The method was developed in the mid-20th century and has since been studied in a large number of controlled trials. International clinical guidelines, including NICE and APA recommendations, name CBT as one of the first-line treatments for depression, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and insomnia, and as part of addiction treatment. Specific protocols have been developed for each condition.
What CBT by Video Is Like
Each session has a structure: a brief check-in on how you are feeling, a review of your homework, work on the session's topic and a plan for the week. The specialist can show diagrams and tables on screen and send you worksheets. You keep a thought record, rate your anxiety levels, try out new behaviors and bring the results to the next session. You will need a camera, headphones and a quiet place; the conversation is not recorded.
Online CBT does not replace emergency care: if there are suicidal thoughts, psychosis, or severe depression with refusal to eat or drink, call 103 or 112; young people can call 150. If medication is needed, it is prescribed by a psychiatrist, and online prescribing is possible only within the laws of Kazakhstan. For some types of exposure work, the specialist may suggest an in-person session or doing the exercise with the support of someone close to you.
How we help
Cognitive restructuring
You learn to notice automatic thoughts, write them down, look for evidence for and against them and come up with a more balanced view. For example, “if I make a mistake in my presentation, I'll be fired” becomes “everyone makes mistakes, and I've handled them before.” Over time, this skill becomes a habit and reduces anxiety.
Exposure
In anxiety disorders and panic disorder, a person gradually, step by step, faces what they fear — without avoiding it. The specialist helps build a “ladder” from easy situations to difficult ones, for example from a short taxi ride to traveling across the city on your own. Exposure is one of the most effective components of CBT.
Behavioral activation
With depression, people often stop doing the things that used to bring them pleasure and meaning, and their mood drops even further as a result. Behavioral activation helps gradually bring enjoyable and important activities back into your life, plan them and track how they affect your well-being. The method is simple and works well online.
CBT for insomnia
This specialized protocol includes work on your sleep schedule, limiting time in bed, changing bedtime habits and changing thoughts about insomnia. International guidelines name it the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. You keep a sleep diary, and the specialist helps you adjust the plan every week by video.
Myths and facts
MythCBT is just “think positive”
FactCBT doesn't tell you to think positively; it teaches you to think realistically by checking your thoughts against the facts. Sometimes a situation really is difficult, and then the work focuses on problem-solving and acceptance rather than on reassuring yourself.
MythCBT only treats symptoms, not causes
FactCBT also works with deep-seated beliefs about yourself and the world that formed in the past. The method simply focuses on what keeps the problem going now and what can be changed, and this often gives fast and lasting results.
MythHomework is optional
FactAssignments between sessions are an important part of CBT: skills are consolidated in real life. Research links completing homework with better therapy outcomes. The specialist tailors assignments to your pace of life.
How an online appointment works
- Message or callWrite on WhatsApp or call — our coordinator replies within minutes, day or night. You don't have to give your surname.
- Doctor and timeWe match you with a psychiatrist, addiction specialist or psychotherapist and agree on a time — often the same day.
- Video consultationA secure 50–60 minute video call: the doctor takes a detailed history and uses standardised scales if needed.
- Treatment planYou receive a clear summary, recommendations and a plan: what we do online and what needs an in-person visit or home call.
- Follow-upOnline follow-up sessions, messenger contact with your doctor, and treatment adjustments until you get a stable result.
Prices in Almaty
| Online therapy session (50 min) | 15 000 ₸ |
| Package of 8 online sessions | 110 000 ₸ |
| Family/couples session (80 min) | 20 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
You can book in Almaty online or at one of two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty, 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Our coordinator replies on WhatsApp within minutes at any time, and a doctor usually connects by video the same day; home visits are available too — all city districts and nearby settlements.
Confidential and private
Information about your visit, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We never share it with your employer, school or relatives without your consent; the only exceptions are those expressly set out by law. For an online consultation your first name is enough, video runs over a secure channel and nothing is recorded without your consent.
Questions and answers
How many CBT sessions does it take to see results?
For specific problems such as panic attacks, insomnia or social anxiety, 8–16 sessions are often enough. For depression or long-standing difficulties, the course may be longer. The specialist regularly assesses your progress using questionnaires and discusses it with you.
Is online CBT suitable for treating panic attacks?
Yes, it is one of the most thoroughly studied options. You learn to understand how panic works, stop avoiding situations and gradually regain your freedom of movement. Exercises can be done in real-life settings — in a car, a taxi or a shopping mall.
Can CBT be combined with medication?
Yes, this combination is effective for many conditions. If you are already taking medication prescribed by a doctor, let your specialist know. If medication is needed, a psychiatrist will select it after a consultation, in line with the requirements of Kazakhstan law.
How should I prepare for my first CBT session?
Think about what exactly is bothering you and what changes you would like to see. You can write down examples of situations that were difficult. Find a quiet place and check your connection and headphones. Nothing else is needed — the specialist will explain the rest during the session.
What if I can't manage to do the homework?
This is common, and it is discussed in session without any reproach. The specialist will help you understand what is getting in the way — lack of time, anxiety, doubts about whether it is useful — and will simplify the assignment. It is important to come to the session even if you haven't done the homework.
Do you offer CBT for teenagers?
Yes, we have specialists who work with teenagers using adapted protocols. For minors, consent from a parent or legal guardian is required. In a crisis, a teenager can call the free 150 helpline.
Where can I be seen in Almaty?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Both are open 24/7; home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) and APA (US) guidelines on the treatment of mental disorders
- WHO recommendations on telemedicine and digital health
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
