Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a collaborative, practical and problem oriented approach to emotional problems whereby the client and therapist work together toward understanding difficulties in terms of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
CBT is based on the concept that how we think, how we act, how we feel and what we experience in our bodies all interact together. The cyclic relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour is illustrated in the diagram on the right.
How does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) work?
CBT works by helping clients break the vicious circle of altered and unhelpful thinking, feelings and behaviour. The therapy focus on the thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes that we hold, the personal meaning we associate with these and how all this relates to the way we behave as a way of dealing with emotional problems and works to help clients to learn more useful ways of thinking and coping.
What can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treat?
CBT is effective for a wide range of emotional problems ranging from relationship problems, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, anxiety, depression, compulsive gambling and eating disorders and its efficacy has been proven through major research studies. CBT can be used exclusively or it can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches such as humanistic or psychodynamic depending on the needs and requirements of the client.
What does the Cognitive Behavioural Theapy (CBT) process involve?
The CBT process is usually of 6-8 week duration and during this time the client works with the therapist to understand each problem and break it down into its component parts and to partake in homework assignments. To assist in this process the therapist may invite the client to keep a log or a diary. This helps identify individual patterns of thoughts, emotions, bodily feelings and actions from which underlying beliefs and possibly the sources of these unhelpful patterns can be uncovered. Together, the client and therapist work out how to change these unhelpful thoughts and behaviour. After identifying and agreeing what the client might change, the therapist may recommend assignments that the client can complete and practice outside of the sessions in everyday life. The strength of CBT is that the client can continue to practise and develop their skills even after the sessions have finished, making it less likely that symptoms or problems will return.
How Do I Begin Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) ?
You can begin by contacting one of our CBT therapists that are listed on the right hand side. All of our CBT therapists are fully trained and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. You can contact them either by phone or by email. If you are conatcting by email please indicate if there is a particular therapist that you are interested in working with and also the days and times that you are available.
How Long Is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Session (CBT) ?
A session will last between 50 and 60 minutes, depending on which therapist that you attend.
How Much is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Session ?
The fee per session will depend on which therapist that you are attending. The fee for each therapist is shown on their individual profile and also on the Prices page.
