Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, often shortened to CBT is a form of psychological therapy which focuses on understanding how your thoughts affect your behaviour and which can help you to change the way you think, behave and feel.
It is usually a short term therapy.
CBT is based on the assumption that most unwanted thinking patterns and emotional and behavioural reactions are learned over a long period of time. The aim is to identify the thinking that is causing your unwanted feelings and behaviours and to learn to replace this thinking with more positive thoughts.
It is a combination of cognitive therapy, which can modify or eliminate your unwanted thoughts and beliefs, and behavioural therapy, which can help you to your change behaviour in response to those thoughts.
The therapist does not focus on the events from your past (such as your childhood) but focuses on current difficulties at the present time. The therapist will be able to teach you new skills and new ways of reacting.
It is particularly suitable for specific problems such as:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress
- Phobias, anxiety and panic attacks
- Impotency and sexual difficulties
- Depression and anger issues
- Eating Disorders
- Drug or alcohol problems
- Persistent pain and sleep problems