How Does CBT Work?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for many psychological problems, including anxiety and depression. CBT helps to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns, assumptions, beliefs and behaviours. This is important because what you think creates what you feel, and what you feel drives how you behave. So what this can mean is that patterns of negative thoughts are triggered, causing low mood or an increase in anxiety. The resulting unhelpful behaviours tend to reinforce the negative thinking. This creates a viscous and negative cycle. You may realise it is happening but don’t know how to stop it!

CBT differs from many other psychotherapies because it’s:

• pragmatic – helps identify specific problems and how to solve them
• structured– rather than talking freely, you and your therapist discuss specific problems and set goals for you to achieve
• focuses on current problems– mainly concerned with how you think and act now, rather than attempting to resolve past issues
• collaborative– you won’t be told what to do. Your therapist will work with you to find solutions to your current difficulties

Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapists, Pauline O’Connell and Helen Greenland are accredited with the BABCP. They will discuss your specific difficulties and set goals for you to achieve.

CBT is not a quick fix – it involves hard work during and between sessions, but you will learn how to overcome your problems and gain control of your life long-term.