Cognitive & Behavioural Therapies (CBT)

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a relatively short-term focused therapy. The "cognitive" aspect refers to specific psychological methods and techniques that can help to alter unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. The "behaviour" in CBT refers to specific methods for changing unhelpful behaviours.

The focus of CBT is initially on helping individuals to recognise patterns of unhelpful thinking and unhelpful behaviours which can contribute to emotional and psychological distress. Individuals are then encouraged to evaluate and modify these patterns of thinking and behaving in a way which would allow them to function and cope better. Practical tasks are usually set between sessions and these are agreed between the individual and the clinician. These can take the form of writing diary sheets or reading psychoeducational material or doing an activity linked to behaviour change.

The approach is structured and collaborative. It focuses on factors which maintain difficulties rather than on what causes them. The aim is for symptom relief and on encouraging the individual to become independent and skilled in the self management of future episodes of psychological distress.