What is CBT?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for many types of emotional and mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety. CBT aims to help you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts whilst implementing practical self-help strategies to foster positive changes in your life. CBT is based on the understanding that thinking negatively is habitual, and just like any other habit, can be broken.

Who is CBT for?

CBT can benefit anyone who needs support to challenge unhelpful thoughts that may prevent them from living the life they want to live. CBT can be used to treat a range of psychological problems including:

• Generalised anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Anger & stress management
• Panic attacks
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Phobias
• Hypochondria
• Low self-esteem
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Somatic disorders
• Sexual dysfunction

How does CBT work? 

The primary focus of CBT is to change unhelpful or unhealthy thoughts and behaviours. It is a combination of two therapies: ‘cognitive therapy’ and ‘behaviour therapy’.

Cognitive therapy

The aim of cognitive therapy is to change the way you think about an issue that’s causing concern. Negative thoughts often lead to self-destructive feelings and behaviours. You might think that you are unworthy of love, which may lead to you feeling more withdrawn in social situations. Cognitive therapy helps you challenge those negative thoughts and provides you with practical self-help strategies to address them. 

Behaviour therapy

Behaviour therapy teaches you techniques or skills to alter your behaviour. For example, your psychologist may teach you conversational skills that you practise in therapy and in social situations. Negative thoughts and feelings reduce as you discover you can enjoy yourself in social situations.