Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that effectively treats a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and mental distress.

CBT places an emphasis on helping you learn to be your own therapists. Session structures combined with “homework” exercises are designed to help develop coping skills, and you can learn to change your own thinking, problematic emotions and behaviours. CBT is a client led and collaborative treatment approach which helps uncover and understand your personal challenges leading to a treatment strategy.

As a CBT therapist, I explore more of what is going on in your current life, rather than concentrating on your past history. Some information about your history is required, but the primary focus is on moving forward to help develop more effective ways of coping with life and achieving change.

Evidence based research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or prescriptive medications.

Advances in CBT are based on both research and clinical practice and CBT is an approach supported by scientific evidence that demonstrates change.

CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment and is based on several core principles, including:

• Psychological problems are based on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
• Psychological problems are based on learned patterns of unhelpful behaviour.
• People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them bringing relief to their life.

CBT treatment involves strategies to change thinking patterns:

• Learning to recognise and re-evaluate unhelpful thought processes.
• Gaining a better understanding of the behaviour and motivation of others.
• Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult life situations.
• Learning to develop a greater sense of personal confidence.

CBT treatment involves strategies to change behaviours:

• Facing personal fears instead of avoiding them.
• Preparing for potentially difficult interactions with others.
• Learning to activate the natural Autonomic Relaxation Response.