What's the buddhist stance on cognitive behavioral therapy?

Is it a good idea to expose yourself to situations that trigger fear and anxiety and use meditation to get through it, or is the desire to overcome fear and anxiety "bad" because it's technically a desire? (And fear and anxiety are only temporary states anyway and should be recognized for being just that.) Would it even be possible to meditate through a triggering situation since one wouldn't be calm enough to see clearly in such a situation? To put it more simply: could meditation be used as a substitute for CBT? If not, does Buddhism encourage or discourage CBT?