CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which makes recommendations to the NHS (British National Health Service) on the most effective treatments and medicines available, advocates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for the management of common mental health issues because extensive research demonstrates that it works for a high percentage of people.

CBT is a goal-orientated form of therapy in which the therapist works with the client as a team to help bring about lasting, positive change. Thinking and reacting in unhelpful ways is a learnt behaviour; however, insight into unhelpful thought patterns isn’t enough by itself. New ways of thinking and behaving have to be learned with patience, force and energy. Individual goals are reached by practising new learning in between sessions in different ways – ranging from constructive, rational self-talk to actively facing trigger situations until lasting positive change occurs. Read more about CBT here.