CBT is one of the most widely recognised and trusted therapeutic approaches, backed by extensive research for its effectiveness in improving mental health. It is goal-focused, structured, and practical, making it ideal for those who want actionable strategies to address their concerns. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or specific challenges like low self-esteem or phobias, CBT can help you regain control and build resilience.
CBT sessions are collaborative and tailored to your unique needs. Together with your therapist, you’ll identify specific issues to address, explore the thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to them, and develop practical strategies to create change.
Each session builds on the last, offering a structured approach to help you progress step by step. You’ll also receive exercises and techniques to practise between sessions, ensuring that the tools you learn become habits you can rely on in daily life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of talking therapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It focuses on how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, offering practical tools to improve mental health and well-being.
CBT works by helping you recognise negative or distorted thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, constructive ones. Through structured sessions, you’ll learn to challenge unhelpful beliefs and develop coping strategies to manage difficult emotions and situations.
CBT is effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, OCD, PTSD, and insomnia. It is also helpful for managing chronic pain, low self-esteem, and certain habits or behaviours, such as procrastination.
In a CBT session, you’ll work collaboratively with your therapist to explore specific issues and set goals for change. Sessions may include discussing recent thoughts and behaviours, practising techniques like thought challenging, and setting practical exercises to try between appointments.
The number of sessions varies depending on your specific needs and goals. CBT is often a short-term therapy, with many people benefitting from 6-12 sessions, but this can be adjusted based on your progress and circumstances.
CBT is suitable for anyone who wants to address specific issues, improve emotional well-being, or develop healthier thought patterns. It’s particularly effective if you prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach that focuses on present challenges rather than past events.
CBT helps you gain a clearer understanding of how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviours. Benefits include improved problem-solving skills, better emotional regulation, reduced symptoms of anxiety or depression, and tools to manage stress more effectively.
Some people notice improvements after just a few sessions, particularly if they actively practise the techniques between appointments. However, results can vary, and lasting change often requires consistency and commitment to the process.
While CBT mainly focuses on present thoughts and behaviours, it can also explore past experiences if they are impacting your current situation. However, the emphasis remains on finding practical solutions and strategies for moving forward.
CBT techniques may include thought challenging, cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, relaxation techniques, and exposure therapy. These methods are tailored to your needs and designed to help you overcome negative patterns and build resilience.
No extensive preparation is needed, but it can be helpful to think about specific challenges you’d like to address or examples of situations where unhelpful thoughts or behaviours have occurred. This will help your therapist tailor the session to your needs.