Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What is CBT?

CBT is a structured and time-limited form of talking therapy that has been extensively studied and proven effective in treating various health and mental health conditions in over 2,000 research studies. CBT focuses on understanding problems by examining the interplay between our environment, thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviours. By altering one of these elements, we can impact the others. When we are feeling down or upset, we often engage in thought patterns and behaviours that can exacerbate our negative emotions. CBT aims to help us recognize and change these problematic thinking styles and behaviour patterns in order to improve how we feel. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend CBT in the treatment for a range of emotional problems, including depression and a range of issues relation to anxiety.    

CBT is a collaborative therapy - it’s not something that is done to someone, it’s a way of working together with a therapist on mutually agreed goals. In the initial sessions, you and your therapist will work together to gain insight into your challenges and identify potential contributors to emotional distress, such as unhelpful thoughts, behaviours, or difficult life events. Subsequent therapy stages will involve exploring new ways of thinking and coping through evidence-based techniques and strategies. It's crucial for individuals to be motivated to embrace change and be open to trying out new approaches between sessions in order to maximize the benefits. As therapy progresses, the focus will shift to equipping you with the tools to sustain your progress and prevent future challenges. The objective will be to develop a plan for effectively managing any setbacks that may arise in the future.

What can CBT help with?

CBT has been shown to help with many different mental health conditions. These include:

• Depression
• Anxiety, panic, and phobias – including agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where you can’t escape or get help), social anxiety (fear of social situations), and health anxiety (fear of being ill or becoming ill)
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder and
• Psychosis (including schizophrenia)

CBT can also help with other problems, including:

• Sleep difficulties
• Stress
• Anger
• Low self-esteem, and
• Physical health problems, like pain and extreme tiredness

If you think Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may be the method you require, consult with me today to discuss your needs.