COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) IS A TALKING THERAPY..
CBT is an interactive 'talking therapy' that can help people who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties. It is a psychological therapy that highlights the connection between how we think, feel and behave.
At the heart of CBT, it is believed that changes towards thoughts and behaviours can greatly enhance and influence our feelings. This can empower us to feel better within ourselves and improve our mental wellbeing. Working collaboratively with a qualified and accredited Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapist is shown to help us become more aware of how unhelpful thinking can have an adverse effect on how we feel and act. CBT can help us to address these issues in a more helpful way.
CBT has a strong evidence base for treating anxiety, depression and a wide range of disorders. You do not necessarily need to be diagnosed from a mental health condition to benefit from CBT. For example, during times of distress, we often think differently and more negatively about ourselves and situations. CBT can offer effective strategies and solutions to help us cope with stressful life events.
WHAT CBT CAN HELP WITH...
WORKING TOGETHER:
As mentioned above, it is a collaborative therapy. By working with your CBT Therapist, initial goals are highlighted. This enables you to gain insights and new understandings of your experiences. This helps you to paint a picture and glean helpful ways to successfully move forward in a way that suits your needs, lifestyle and symptoms. Together, we devise practical strategies to help you problem-solve, gain new skills and positive tools that you can put to use for the rest of your life.
WHY CBT?...
It works! Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been found effective in hundreds of clinical trials and is used to treat a wide range of problems. It's often the preferred type of psychotherapy because it quickly helps you identify and cope with the specific difficulties you are facing. It generally requires fewer sessions than other types of therapy and is done in a structured way. Typically we see clients for anything from 5-20 sessions.
CBT is a useful therapy to address emotional & personal challenges that can help to:
· Manage symptoms of mental illness
· Prevent a relapse of mental illness symptoms
· Treat a mental illness when medications aren't a good option
· Learn techniques for coping with stressful life situations
· Identify ways to manage emotions
· Resolve relationship conflicts and learn better ways to communicate
· Cope with grief or loss
· Overcome emotional trauma related to abuse or violence
· Cope with a medical illness
· Manage chronic physical symptoms
Mental health disorders that may improve with CBT include:
· Depression
· Anxiety disorders
· Phobias
· PTSD
· Sleep disorders
· Eating disorders
· Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
· Substance use disorders
· Bipolar disorders
· Schizophrenia
· Sexual disorders
Symptoms that CBT can help with include:
· Tearfulness
· Eating problems
· Depressive feelings
· Palpitations
· Concerns about health
· Poor concentration
· Poor sleep patterns
· Low energy
· Hopelessness
· Thoughts of suicide
· Loss of appetite
· Excessive washing or checking
· Re-occurring distressing thoughts
· Busy mind - ruminating
· Nightmares
· Flashbacks
· Tiredness
· Self-harm