Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)


What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based & well researched talking therapy. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for many mental health problems.

It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other many mental and physical health problems.

CBT focuses upon how your thoughts and behaviours impact upon your emotions and physical symptoms.

CBT is collaborative treatment and typically involves doing homework tasks between appointments.

It aims to teach you to become your own therapist, teaching you tools so you can keep using the strategies and techniques you have learned after you have finished therapy.



What problems can CBT help?

CBT is also often used to help people who are struggling experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns. CBT is a versatile and effective treatment approach that can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including:

  • Anxiety

  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder

  • Generalised anxiety disorder

  • Emetophobia

  • Panic disorder

  • Social anxiety disorder

  • Specific phobias

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Depression

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Eating disorders

  • Chronic pain

  • Other physical health conditions that have a significant emotional component, such as irritable bowel syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome.

  • Life transitions or challenges, such as the loss of a loved one or a job, or a major life change.






In CBT for anxiety disorders, the therapist works with the person to develop a better understanding of their anxiety, and to identify the specific thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that are contributing to their anxiety symptoms.

The therapist may then help the person to develop and practice new skills and strategies for managing their anxiety, such as relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, or exposure therapy. By learning and practicing these skills, the person can gradually reduce their anxiety symptoms and improve their overall well-being.



Overall, CBT can be helpful for people who are looking for a structured and practical approach to addressing their mental health concerns. It can be particularly useful for people who have found that other forms of therapy or treatment have not been effective for them, or for those who are looking for a more proactive and collaborative approach to their mental health and well-being.





What can I expect will happen in a CBT session?


In a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) session, you can expect to work with your therapist to identify and address negative patterns of thinking and behaviour that may be contributing to your mental health concerns. CBT is a structured and goal-oriented form of therapy, and each session is typically focused on a specific topic or issue that you and your therapist have identified as relevant to your treatment.

During a CBT session, your therapist may ask you to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in relation to the specific topic or issue that you are working on. This may involve discussing difficult or challenging situations that you have experienced, and exploring the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that are associated with these situations. Your therapist may also ask you to complete certain homework assignments outside of the therapy session, such as keeping a journal or practicing specific skills or techniques.

Overall, you can expect CBT to be an active and collaborative process, where you will work with your therapist to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behaviour that may be contributing to your mental health concerns. The specific activities and techniques used in a CBT session may vary depending on your individual needs and goals.




How do I make sure I receive quality CBT?


What qualifications and certifications should I look for when choosing a CBT therapist?

If you are looking for a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapist, it is important to choose someone who is qualified and experienced in this approach (in private practice we recommend your therapist has over 3 years clinical experience minimum post qualification experience).

In general, you should look for a therapist who has a graduate degree in a mental health field, such as psychology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy or counselling. Additionally, you should look for a therapist who has completed specialised training in CBT (such as British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, BABCP accreditation), and who has experience using this approach to treat the specific mental health concerns that you are experiencing.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a therapist who you feel comfortable and confident working with, and who has the qualifications and experience necessary to help you with your specific needs and goals.




Recommended reading about CBT


Books

  1. "Mind Over Mood" by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky: This book includes exercises and techniques for managing a range of emotional challenges using CBT.

  2. "The CBT Toolkit" by Jamie Hacker Hughes: This book provides a comprehensive overview of CBT and includes exercises and techniques for readers to try.

  3. "The CBT Handbook" by David Veale and Rob Willson: This book provides a comprehensive overview of CBT and includes exercises and techniques for managing a range of mental health challenges.

  4. "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Beginner's Guide" by Rob Willson: This book is designed as an introduction to CBT and includes exercises and techniques for readers to try.

Websites

We make finding the right therapist easy.

At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.




 

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