Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Are you are struggling with negative thinking and behaviours, and life just seems a battle? Don’t despair, with the help of an expert therapist, cognitive behavioural therapy could provide you with the solution you are searching for.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people learn how to identify and change the destructive or disturbing thought patterns that create a negative influence on their behaviour and emotions.
Cognitive behavioural therapy combines cognitive therapy with behaviour therapy by identifying distorted patterns of thinking, emotional responses, or behaviours and replacing them with more positive and constructive patterns.
CBT aims to focus on changing the automatic negative thoughts that can contribute to and worsen our emotional problems for example, depression and anxiety. These spontaneous negative thoughts can also have a detrimental influence on our mood.
Through the process of CBT, our faulty thoughts and emotions are identified, challenged, and replaced with more objective, realistic thoughts with the result of changing the way we feel.
What are the Types of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
CBT covers a variety of treatment techniques and approaches in order to address our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. These can range from structured psychotherapies to self-help practices. Some of the most commonly used CBT therapy approaches include the following:
- Cognitive Therapy
Centring on identifying and changing inaccurate or distorted thought patterns, emotional responses, and behaviours
- Multimodal Therapy
This suggests that psychological issues must be treated by addressing seven different but interconnected modalities: behaviour, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal factors, and drug/biological considerations
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
This addresses destructive or disturbing thoughts and behaviours while incorporating treatment strategies such as emotional regulation and mindfulnesss
- Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
Involves identifying irrational beliefs, actively challenging these beliefs, and finally learning to recognise and change these thought patterns
While each specific type of cognitive behavioural therapy takes a different strategic approach, all of them work to address the underlying thought patterns that contribute to treating our emotional and psychological disturbances.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Help With?
CBT is about far more than simply identifying thought patterns and uses a wide range of strategies to help people overcome their negative thinking.
Cognitive behavioural therapy can be used as a short-term treatment to help people learn to focus on present thoughts and beliefs. CBT is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Addiction
- Anger issues
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
In addition to a variety of mental health conditions, cognitive behavioural therapy has also been found to help people who are struggling with:
- Chronic pain or serious illnesses
- Divorce and relationship break-ups
- Grief or loss
- Insomnia
- Low self-esteem
- Stress management
Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The underlying concept behind CBT is that thoughts and feelings play a fundamental role in our behaviour. For example, a person who spends a lot of time thinking about plane crashes, runway accidents, and other air disasters may avoid air travel as a result.
The goal of cognitive behavioural therapy is to teach people that while they cannot control every aspect of the world around them, they can take control of how they interpret and deal with things in their environment.
CBT can provide the following key benefits:
- Help you to develop healthier thought patterns by becoming aware of the negative and often unrealistic thoughts that dampen your feelings and moods
- An effective short-term treatment option as improvements can often be seen in as little as five to 20 sessions
- Effective at changing a wide range of behaviours
- An affordable form of therapy
- An effective therapy both online or face-to-face
- It can be used for those who don't require medication
One of the greatest benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy is that it helps people develop coping skills that can be useful both now and in the future.
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
With cognitive behavioural therapy you will receive a safe, soothing and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your negative thought patterns and emotions.
It is also a space where you can begin to explore both the emotional and physical aspects of your problems and learn a range of techniques which will allow you to cope better with the symptoms enabling you to take back control of your life.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private CBT therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel that you could benefit from CBT therapy, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Mind
The team at Mind provide information on a range of mental health problems.
www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.