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cognitive-behavioural therapy

If you are looking for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, please read on to find out what CBT is, and how it can help you.

Open Notebook

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a pragmatic, highly structured therapeutic approach that helps individuals understand how their thinking about a situation affects their feelings and behaviour and how behaviour can affect thoughts and feelings. The client and the therapist work together to change the client’s behaviours, thinking patterns or both.

 

CBT has a very wide evidence base and is an effective intervention for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and eating disorders. It is also often helpful for insomnia and anger management. It focuses on current difficulties rather than explore their historical origins and relies on a collaborative therapeutic relationship between therapist and client.

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  • In CBT we work together to break down your difficulties into separate parts: the situation, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and behaviours.

  • I will ask you to keep a diary or write down your thoughts and behaviour patterns.

  • Together we will analyse your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to work out if they are unrealistic or unhelpful and to determine the effect they have on each other and on you.

  • After working out what you can change, I will ask you to practice these changes in your everyday life. You will be asked to do homework (practice) between sessions.

  • Confronting fears and anxieties can be very challenging so we will need to work at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I will keep verifying in the sessions how comfortable you are with the progress you are making.

  • Sometimes 'gradual exposure' sessions might be scheduled if you need help with a particular anxiety or phobia and these could take place outside of the clinic.

  • The therapeutic relationship in CBT is one in which the therapist takes a psycho-educational approach and facilitates change through being a teacher and a coach.

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