How CBT works

CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle.

CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You're shown how to identify the thinking feeling connection and change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.

 

Uses for CBT

CBT has been shown to be an effective way of treating a number of different mental health conditions.

In addition to depression or generalised anxiety disorder, CBT can also help people with:

  • Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia
  • Health Anxiety
  • Obsessional Compulsive Disorder
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobias
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Self-Esteem Issues
  • Sleep Problems
  • Social Anxiety

 

What happens during CBT sessions

During the sessions, you'll work with your therapist to break down your problems into their separate parts – such as your thoughts, emotions,  physical feelings and actions.

You and your therapist will analyse these areas to work out if they're unrealistic or unhelpful and to determine the effect they have on each other and on you. Your therapist will then be able to help you work out how to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.

After working out what you can change, your therapist will ask you to practise these changes in your daily life and you'll discuss how you got on during the next session.

The eventual aim of therapy is to teach you to apply the skills you've learnt during treatment to your daily life.

This should help you manage your problems and stop them having a negative impact on your life – even after your course of treatment finishes.

 

Pros and Cons of CBT

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be as effective as medication in treating some mental health problems, but it may not be successful or suitable for everyone

 

Some of the advantages of CBT include:

  • it may be helpful in cases where medication alone hasn't worked
  • it can be completed in a relatively short period of time compared to other talking therapies
  • it teaches you useful and practical strategies that can be used in everyday life – even after the treatment has finished

 

Some of the disadvantages of CBT to consider include:

  • you need to commit yourself to the process to get the most from it – a therapist can help and advise you, but they need your co-operation and collaboration
  • attending regular CBT sessions and carrying out any extra work between sessions can take up a lot of your time
  • it involves confronting your emotions and anxieties – you may experience initial periods where you're anxious or emotionally uncomfortable