What is CBT?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is the psychological treatment of choice for many mental health problems. The NHS National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBT as the best treatment for anxiety and depression. You can read their guidelines here.


In simple terms, this is how CBT makes sense of people's problems


CBT PROCESS   REAL LIFE EXAMPLE
     
Early life experiences   Childhood abuse
 
Unhelpful beliefs   "I am unlovable"
 
Unhelpful negative emotions   Shame
 
Self-defeating behaviours   Avoids leaving the house
(agrophobic)


Few therapies have generated as much interest over the last two decades as cognitive behaviour therapy. It is based on the fact that thinking plays a role in how emotional and behavioural problems develop. The way we think also plays an important role keeping the problems going! CBT therapy aims to reduce distress by changing unhelpful beliefs and providing new ways to make sense of life. CBT teaches people to change unhelpful behaviours.

For a more in-depth overview of CBT, and examples of thinking and behavioural errors, please click here