What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on the principle that our thoughts and behaviour affect our emotions, and that changing the way we think and act will change the way we feel.
CBT is the preferred method of treatment for anxiety and depression in the National Health Service in the UK. More research has been conducted into effectiveness of CBT than most other therapeutic modalities, and the National Institue for Clinical Excellence recommends it for treatment of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
I have been using CBT for several years mainly in the field of addiction treatment, with groups and individuals. When working with clients, I normally combine the elements of CBT I consider most effective with other therapeutic modalities such as Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing and the Emotional Freedom Techniques.
A typical session involving CBT will last about 1 hour, during which I will ask questions to guide our conversation about the issues concerning you, encourage you to define your goals, notice your thoughts, feelings and mental images; perhaps to practise visualisation and relaxation techniques; sometimes we could use movement and sound, written worksheets and a variety of props to help explore your issues and find ways of resolving them. You may be asked to carry out some small tasks at home between sessions, for example: keep a journal or logbook, read an article, practise a particular technique, listen to a CD or tape, or experiment with a new behaviour.
For more information about appointments, click here.
If you are reading this, the process of change has probably already started for you.
If you are looking for pure Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (i.e. without it being integrated with other therapies), I recommend the following experienced and qualified CBT psychotherapist:
Christine Richardson of CBT Services North West
Free online CBT resouces for self-help:
Mood Gym moodgym.anu.edu.au
Living Life to the Full www.livinglifetothefull.com
Fear Fighter www.fearfighter.com (free access can only be prescribed by the GP if you live in England and Wales)
Centre for Clinical Interventions www.cci.health.wa.gov.au
Get Self-Help www.getselfhelp.co.uk
Computerised CBT self-help programmes, including Beating the Blues, are becoming available throughout the UK. In Greater Manchester they are provided by Self-Help Services.
Recommended CBT books for self-help:
More information on CBT can be found on the following websites:
British Association for the Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
