Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioural therapy emphasises the role that thoughts can play in affecting the way you feel and act. It suggests that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you into a vicious cycle where your behaviour leads to further difficulties. A key idea is that psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking. It is a structured approach that typically focuses on current problems you may have rather than what has led up to these difficulties. The focus is mainly on moving forward to develop effective ways of coping with life.

When working in the CBT model we will introduce tools that help you to recognise unhelpful ways of thinking that are creating problems and then to reconsider them in light of reality. Problem solving skills will be taught alongside information about the scientific basis of difficulties such as anxiety. There will also be work on changing behaviour patterns, this can include facing your fears rather than avoiding them. This work can be challenging and we will work with you to ensure that you go at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

CBT has a huge evidence base supporting its effectiveness as a treatment for most psychological difficulties. As with ACT, advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. There is a large amount of scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this way, CBT and ACT differ from many other forms of psychological treatment.