Is it time to try Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (or CBT) is used as an effective treatment for a range of mental health problems including depression, stress and anxiety. The therapy works by talking through your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes with a trained therapist and looks at how these areas affect your feelings and your behaviour. The therapy is a combined solution, encompassing your thoughts (cognitive) and the actions you take (behaviour). If you are currently experiencing anxiety, stress or depression it could be time to consider Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The therapy can also work if you’re feeling stuck in some part of your life and struggling to take action to move forward.

How does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy work?

CBT is a goal-orientated psychotherapy treatment and is used as a short-term, practical approach to problem-solving. The aim of the therapy is to help people change their thought processes or behaviour that are causing or adding to the difficulties in their lives, ultimately positively impacting the way they feel. Practitioners trained in CBT will encourage the person receiving the treatment to talk about their thoughts towards a situation and help them make practical mental and behavioural changes to improve the way they feel.

CBT aims to help people develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving to attempt to overcome scenarios and thought processes which negatively impact their mental health. The goal is to reduce psychological distress in order to choose more positive, practical thoughts and behaviours.

How long does it take for CBT to work?

As with all therapies and medications, treatment success is based on the individual and their response to the sessions. CBT sessions are held on a one-to-one basis between a therapist and the person receiving therapy. Generally, people meet with a CBT therapist every one or two weeks for between five and 20 sessions, each appointment lasting for around 30-60 minutes. Sessions are usually kept fairly long, to help the individual receiving treatment to relax and feel less anxious, so that they are able to talk through their feelings more openly.

For more information about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and to find a therapist near you, check out our online directory now.