Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an evidence based treatment for depression and anxiety disorders.
It is based on the concept that how we feel is affected by our thoughts (cognitions) and what we do (our behaviours). When we are struggling, we often fall into patterns or traps, that keep us stuck.
We may have learnt these patterns during our childhood or adolescence , and CBT can help us to understand why we developed these patterns, and how to change them, so that we can feel better.
CBT looks at changing how we feel (emotionally and physically) by changing what we do and how we think.
CBT is a practical and change focused type of therapy, that involves understanding yourself and your problems, learning new skills, and testing these out in between sessions to discover what we can learn. My compassionate approach ensures that you feel heard, understood, and supported every step of the way.
You can find out more about CBT by clicking below.
What are CBT sessions like?
The CBT approach focuses on the "here and now". We will work together to identify and understand the problems that you are experiencing. In sessions we map out your own "vicious cycle" - identifying the common situations or triggers that cause you difficulties, your emotional response, your physical symptoms, and your negative or unhelpful thoughts about yourself, the situation or others/the world. We identify how you cope when these situations occur, and what you do (or don't do!) differently as a result, questioning whether these are helpful or maladaptive.
Together we understand what keeps the issue/s going for you personally. This gives us a map to then break this cycle, making a change in order for you to feel better.
We may examine your early experiences that may have contributed to how you see yourself, how you see others, or how you see the world around you. Sometimes these experiences, and the meaning we attribute to them, can influence how we then react and respond to current situations or triggers.
Once we have this understanding, this then enables us to make a conscious choice about how we want to change these patterns, giving you autonomy in choosing how to react to situations, to help you live your life.
Together we look at a range of different strategies and techniques to promote change, and help you to make changes to enrich your life.
CBT is a "doing" therapy
CBT is a great way of understanding what is keeping a problem going, and once we are aware of this information, it is our job together to take action in order to get you ‘unstuck’.
CBT is an active and collaborative type of therapy, and together we look at a range of different strategies and techniques to promote change, and help you to make real changes to your life.
We work together in sessions to test out new ways of thinking about yourself and situations, and experiment with different ways to respond to triggers or stressors. We use sessions to learn, practice and plan these techniques, and then test out these new skills in the real world. I will encourage and support you, as together we work at your pace to set out experiments and tasks that help you manage your symptoms, move you forward, and improve your quality of life.
My approach is centred around creating a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, without judgement. Our therapy sessions focus on helping you manage symptoms of depression or anxiety, identify triggers, recognise negative thought patterns, and develop coping strategies. I use evidence-based practices to help you overcome your difficulties and improve your mental well-being.
Contact me by clicking below if you would like to discuss whether CBT is right for you.
Trauma focused CBT
Trauma focused CBT is a form of CBT that was specifically developed to help people experiencing symptoms of PTSD.
Our trauma therapy sessions provide a safe and supportive environment to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences. I can help you learn techniques to manage distress, both in session and between sessions. Work through the effects of trauma and learn how to manage symptoms of PTSD. We use evidence-based practices to help you overcome trauma, improve your mental well-being and reclaim your life.
Stress Management
If you feel generally stressed, my stress management sessions provide tools and techniques to help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being. We focus on developing healthy coping strategies and techniques for managing stressors in your daily life.
I can provide tools and techniques to help you develop a greater sense of awareness, reduce stress, and improve your overall mental well-being. I can incorporate relaxation and mindfulness practises into our therapy sessions. These techniques can help you manage physical symptoms, develop greater awareness and emotional regulation.