Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of Counselling and Psychotherapy, that helps clients to change the way they think, feel and behave towards problems within their lives.
By focusing on and changing negative thoughts and beliefs, improvements to emotional wellbeing can be achieved.
Here at TalkingPoint Therapy we do this by helping clients make sense of their difficulties by breaking their problems down into small parts and then identifying the exact cause of their emotional difficulties. TalkingPoint therapists identify the negative and unhelpful thoughts attached to the causes of emotional difficulties and then begin to work with clients on the process of restructuring. By restructuring these unhelpful thoughts our clients start to see improvements in their emotional state and quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been clinically proven to help ease the symptoms of a range of psychological illnesses; in particular it has been shown to be as effective as medication in treating the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
What can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) be used to treat?
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) be used as an effective treatment for a range of disorders including:
Anxiety
Depression
Panic Disorder
Relationship Issues
Phobias
Stress
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anger Issues
Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Self-harm
TalkingPoint Therapists and Counsellors have experience in treating all of these conditions and have seen effective and lasting results in their clients.
How long does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) take?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions are usually held on a weekly basis and last 55 minutes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is generally a short-term treatment and we usually recommend about six sessions, although this depends on what issues you bring to the sessions.
What happens during a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) session?
Initially your Cognitive Behavioral Therapist will introduce you to the idea of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and explain a little of the way it works and what to expect.
Your therapist will then go through your history and identify problem areas you would like to work on and set goals.
Together we will begin to look at your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and to identify which of these are unhelpful and how they affect each other.
Once you and your therapist have identified what can realistically be changed, your therapist will start to help you to restructure the unhelpful and negative thoughts. It is usual for your therapist to recommend “homework” so that you can put into practice, outside of the session, changes to the negative and unhelpful thoughts.
It is important to remember that the therapy is collaborative and you do not have to do anything you do not want to, or at a pace you are uncomfortable with.
As the sessions progress you will understand your emotional difficulties more and more and begin to notice changes in your thinking, feeling and the way you behave.
