Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Here is a video from Mind please watch to find about more about CBT
About CBT
CBT is an evidence based short term psychological therapy with a significantly robust research base. It is a very structured and practical approach helping people resolve problems by focusing upon changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours which undermine self confidence and can lead to depression and anxiety. Whilst CBT acknowledges our early experiences and how our presenting problems can originate in childhood, it works very much in the 'here and now'. The basic premise of CBT is that our thoughts and behaviours affect how we feel. CBT helps you change and develop new behaviours and skills for life. CBT has developed in the last 30 years and now includes approaches such as Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and compassion focused therapy (CFT). These can be incorporated into your individualised therapy.
Sessions are weekly (typically) and last 60 minutes in duration and I offer help for the following problems:
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Depression and low mood
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Worry and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
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Panic and stress
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Low self esteem and self confidence issues
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Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
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Social anxiety and performance anxiety
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Health anxiety
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Trichotillomania (hair pulling)
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Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
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Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What to expect in your CBT session:
CBT is a very practical and structured therapy. At the start of each session we set an agenda. We develop a visual diagram to help us understand what unhelpful thoughts and behaviours may be maintaining your problem; this is sometimes called a 'vicious cycle'. We identify your goals and each session is purposeful helping you work towards them. You will be introduced to specific skills and exercises which facilitate positive changes. At the end of each session we discuss assignments for you to practice in between your sessions. This is a key part of CBT and why it works so well.
CBT might not be right for you if:
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attending on a regular basis would be difficult for you
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you lack time for in-between session assignments
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you want to work on or talk about your past
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you have a number of problems or you may not be sure what your problem is
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you consider working on your problems would prove unsafe to yours or someone else's well-being
Here is another video from the BABCP about how CBT works:
Further CBT resources can be found at:
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Centre for clinical Interventions: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/
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NHS self help: https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/