Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT?
CBT is an evidence-based treatment used to manage various forms of psychological distress.
It involves identifying and changing patterns of behaviour, attention and thinking that can maintain or worsen distress.
CBT is a practical, scientifically proven approach that focuses on achieving your goals. It involves helping you discover why you’re stuck and learning to work your way out.
What conditions can be treated with CBT?
CBT for depression
When someone is depressed, they often:
Withdraw from activity
Develop negative beliefs about themselves, the world and the future
Focus their attention on aspects of themselves that confirm their sense of worthlessness and hopelessness.
A cognitive behavioural approach would involve forming a shared understanding of the factors that are maintaining your low mood.
Your psychologist will work with you to increase valued activities, challenge unhelpful thinking styles, and help shift your attention from negative cycles of thinking – gently and consistently.
CBT for anxiety
In the case of anxiety, the person may worry excessively, experience panic attacks, fear social interaction, and suffer from the consequences of trauma. CBT helps to:
Challenge your beliefs about your fears (cognitive therapy)
Desensitise you to them by helping you gradually face feared experiences (exposure therapy)
Give you greater skill at disengaging from unhelpful attention and thought processes (attention training/mindfulness).
CBT for other conditions
CBT’s reputation has been built on its effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety, however, it also has demonstrated effectiveness for treating:
Anger
Illness anxiety
Chronic pain
Attention deficit
Hyperactivity disorder
Psychotic disorders
Many other distressing conditions.
Why do we practice CBT at Peter Walker & Associates?
All of our clinical psychologists are highly experienced in CBT and we know this approach can help a lot of clients to manage emotional distress and live life to the full.
This method of treatment helps you shed light on the issues holding you back and what you need to do to resolve them, with a focus on empowering you to become your own clinician.
How our clinicians use CBT for treatment
You’ll work in partnership with your psychologist to develop a personalised understanding of your issue, then you’ll work together to change factors that contribute to it.
CBT usually involves practice outside of the therapy session. Ultimately, the goal is for you to develop the skills to treat yourself – effectively becoming your own psychologist.