Optimism Psychotherapy & Supervision Services
Based in Portmouth & Surrey
Delivering Remote Psychological Therapy Nationwide
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help with problems such as:
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Eating Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Chronic Fatigue
Pain
Psychosis
Biploar Disorder
What is CBT?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy. It is a common treatment for a range of mental health problems. CBT teaches you coping skills for dealing with different problems. It focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and actions.
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What is the theory behind CBT?
CBT is based on the idea that how we think about situations can affect the way we feel and behave. For example, if you interpret a situation negatively, you might experience negative emotions. And those bad feelings might lead you to behave in a certain way. CBT combines two types of therapy to help you deal with these thoughts and behaviours: cognitive therapy, examining the things you think and behaviour therapy, examining the things you do.
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What are CBT sessions like?
In CBT, you work with a therapist to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviour. You and your therapist might focus on what is going on in your life right now. You might also talk about how your past experiences have affected you. CBT is usually a short-term treatment where you have a set number of sessions. This may vary depending on the reason you’re having CBT. During CBT sessions you may set goals for what you hope to achieve during your sessions, work through exercises with your therapist to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and agree on some activities to work on in your own time.
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How long with CBT last?
CBT typically takes 8 – 16 sessions, each 60-90 minutes in length, but this can vary from person to person and some people attend up to 30 sessions. You will usually meet with your therapist weekly or fortnightly.
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What will you do outside your CBT sessions?
CBT can involve activities for you to do outside your sessions. This might include filling in worksheets, keeping a diary or practicing techniques and skills learnt in session. It can be helpful if you are able to commit your own time to complete the work over the course of treatment.
