27 March 2016

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

 

“Man can alter his life by altering his thinking” – William James

 

The main theoretical model underpinning my work is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is an evidence-based treatment and one of the few forms of psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be highly-effective for a wide range of problems.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short-term therapy that can help us understand our own unique way of experiencing life. CBT is based on the theory that the ways in which we think, how we feel (both emotionally and physically) and what we do are all closely linked together, and thus the way we perceive situations influences how we feel about them. It also recognises that these links often create vicious cycles, which can cause us distress. CBT helps to identify these cycles and the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that keep them going. It can also provide a safe space in which learning how to identify and replace distorted thoughts and beliefs, ultimately changing the associated habitual behaviour towards them. By making meaningful changes to how we think and behave, we often find that we feel better. CBT is also focused on the here and now. Of course, the things that happen to us throughout our lives shape who we are, and therapy can help us understand how certain past events may be contributing to current distress. However the main focus of CBT is to give us tools to move forward with our lives from where we are in the present.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is very active by nature and requires you to take a proactive role within treatment, this includes carrying out homework tasks outside of sessions. By doing so, you are able to maintain the wide range of skills they learn in order to secure long term well being. These skills involve identifying distorted thinking, modifying beliefs and changing behaviors.

For further information about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy please see refer to the  CBT Information Leaflet. 

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