What I do

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

CBT is a talking therapy that looks at what we think ('cognitive') and what we do ('behaviour'). In CBT, we think that it is not just what happens to us or external events that affect our mood but also our thoughts and behaviours. We think that the situations, thoughts, behaviour, physical symptoms and emotions all interact and we can get trapped in patterns or vicious cycles which can be very difficult to break.

CBT is structured and goal orientated. The discussion in the sessions will focus on your difficulties and your goals. It will help you to break down the problems and see how your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviour are impacting on each other. It is mainly focused on the 'here and now' and helping you to learn skills and techniques to break these cycles and move towards your goals.

Here is an example:

Situation: You are walking down the street and you see a friend walking in another direction. You wave and say hello but your friend does not respond and keeps walking.

There is not necessarily a 'right and wrong way' to think or react. However, different thoughts and behaviours will lead to different outcomes which may be more or less helpful at different times.

If you would like to know more about CBT, the following websites will be helpful:

1) Royal college of psychiatrist - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/therapies/cognitivebehaviouraltherapy.aspx

2) British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies - https://www.babcp.com/Default.aspx