Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a specific type of psychotherapy focussed on identifying unhelpful thinking habits and how these interact with feelings and behaviours to negatively affect a person’s quality of life.
Cognitive Therapy is a well-researched therapy in which thoughts are considered to be the source of feelings and behaviours. It is aimed at identifying faulty thinking and correcting it. Negative thoughts and beliefs about the self are challenged in Cognitive Therapy and replaced with more realistic, rational and positive thoughts.
Behavioural Therapy is aimed at identifying the unhelpful behaviours a person uses to manage unpleasant experiences. Once identified, these are systematically replaced with more effective and adaptive behaviours and a better experience follows. It is believed that this better, new experience allows for change and an improved quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a combination of Cognitive Therapy and Behavioural Therapy. It is a targeted form of therapy which is helpful if you are able to consider the psychological reasons for a problem. It is useful if you are prepared to be actively involved in the therapy and willing to practice homework. Homework can include keeping a thought or mood diary, or practicing new self-talk and new behaviours as instructed. It is also helpful when the preference is to treat a specific psychological issue rather than to gain a deeper understanding of the self. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often combined with other psychotherapies and medication. When integrated with other therapeutic approaches it has been shown to be very effective.
CBT is known to be effective in treating psychological problems such as:
- Depression
- Panic
- Anxiety and anxiety disorders (e.g. Generalised Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
- Low Self-esteem
- Anger problems
- Stress Management
- Phobias