Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used, short-term ‘talking therapy’ which is based on the premise that the way you feel can be altered by making changes to the way you think and/or act.
CBT has been shown to help people with:
- generalised anxiety disorder, panic, phobias and social anxiety
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- depression
- eating disorders
- relationship issues
- anger and stress
In CBT, we help you to become aware of thoughts and beliefs attached to an issue that is causing you difficulty. We then teach you to recognise the difference between helpful and unhelpful thoughts, and then how to make better choices around your thoughts and behaviours.
This is a collaborative process where you and your therapist work as a team. A key part of CBT involves practical exercises, both within sessions and as ‘homework’. You might use a thought record to identify triggers and challenge negative automatic thoughts, a technique known as cognitive restructuring. You may also engage in behavioural experiments, which involve safely testing the reality of your fears and beliefs in real-life situations. These structured activities empower you to become your own therapist by actively applying new skills to everyday life, leading to lasting change and improved coping strategies.