Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT stresses the importance of behaving in ways that challenge negative thoughts and unhelpful beliefs. CBT helps you examine some of the beliefs you have, often founded in early experiences, to see your situation in different ways and to build up coping skills.
It is effective for people who suffer from mild to moderate depression, anxiety, panic, low self esteem, low confidence.
Our cognitive processes are our thoughts which include our ideas, mental images, beliefs and attitudes. Cognitive therapy is based on the principle that certain ways of thinking can trigger certain health problems. For example, anxiety, depression, phobias and many physical problems.
The therapist helps you to understand your current thought patterns. In particular to identify any harmful, unhelpful or 'false' ideas or thoughts that you have that can trigger your health problem or make it worse.
The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to avoid these ideas and to help your thought patterns to be more realistic and helpful.
As a rule, the more specific the problem the more likely CBT may help. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a practical therapy which focuses on particular problems and aims to overcome them.
CBT tends to deal with the 'here and now' - how your current thoughts and behaviours are affecting you now. It recognises that events in your past have shaped the way that you currently think and behave. In particular thought patterns and behaviours learned in childhood. CBT does not dwell on the past but aims to find solutions to how to change your current thoughts and behaviours so that you can function better in the future.
CBT does not suit everyone and it is not helpful for all conditions. You need to be committed and persistent in tackling and improving your health problem with the help of the therapist. It can be hard work. The homework may be difficult and challenging and you may be taken out of your comfort zone when tackling situations which cause anxiety or distress. However, many people have greatly benefited from a course of CBT.
If at any point you have any questions on CBT, do ask me and I will do my best to answer them for you. Contact me here.