What is cbt?

The ‘C’ in CBT refers to cognitive. Cognition essentially refers to what we think and how we think. It includes all the different things our minds can do, like planning, problem solving, decision making and drawing conclusions. Cognitive behavioural therapists, however, are usually most interested in the thoughts (or cognitions) that pass through the mind – literally, what a person is thinking. The ‘B’ in CBT refers to behaviour and includes our actions, what we do and what we avoid doing. It includes subtle actions like where we look or how we stand and more obvious actions like which places we tend to avoid. A central idea of CBT is that the perspective or view we take of an event or situation has a profound influence on how we feel and act. In other words, how we think about an event is vital in helping us understand why we feel and act in particular ways.

What it is:

• A systematic approach to understanding the relationship between our situation, thoughts, emotions and behaviour

• An evidence-based treatment for emotional problems; for people prepared to put in the effort!

• Collaborative: Your therapist acts as coach, but you are the athlete

• Scientific: we rely on evidence as opposed to instinct to support our view of the world

• Measurable: we will measure your progress throughout the course of treatment

• Goal-Focused: We will establish clear treatment goals and review them at each session

• Focused on the “here and now” of our lives and what is maintaining problems in the present – rather than routinely focusing on childhood issues

• Builds on existing strengths and successes – “what works”

• Identifies and modifies problem areas – “what doesn’t work”

• Change-focused: improvements come from determinedly practising the skills you learn in treatment

• Empowering: success is in your hands – not other peoples

• Training-oriented: You learn to become your own therapist

What it isn’t:

• A Magic Cure

• Something that others can do for you

• An opportunity to “offload”

• Focused on the things that have gone wrong in the past

• Something that will be effective without hard work

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

You will need to be prepared to try treatment interventions and make changes in your life, or nothing will change.

Appointments – After an initial assessment, treatment will involve regular appointments, which may be weekly or fortnightly for example. Please have a pen and paper to hand so that you may make key notes during your session. Also please ensure you have a place/ a room in which you may speak in private.

In between appointments, you will be encouraged to practise therapy techniques as structured exercises or ‘homework’; treat these exercises as experiments, to see what works for you by implementing changes in your life. 

Don’t be put off – Some treatment may not suit or work for you and that is fine if you have tried it according to instructions; facing difficulties or obstacles is a normal part of treatment. We can discuss the outcomes together and adjust or introduce new techniques accordingly. 

When therapy comes to an end, we will review what we have covered and give you a plan for how to continue your recovery and use the techniques you have learnt.

How long will I have to wait until I can begin?

In many cases treatment can begin within a week or two. This can be discussed at the initial consultation.

can I involve someone else in treatment?

This is not common practice but can occasionally be facilitated and can be very beneficial. This is something that can be discussed and planned for in sessions.

how long will treatment take?

Protocol driven treatment for a single problem can last anywhere between six and twenty sessions. Treatment progress and goals are regularly reviewed and treatment can be brought to a close at any time you wish. It is possible to plan for very brief interventions (up to 6 sessions) or longer, more open ended treatment that is more holistic, potentially looking at several problems. This may run consecuatively are across more than one treatment episode with periods of practice and consolidation in between.

HOW do SESSIONS TAKE PLACE?

Sessions are conducted remotely via a number of different methods. We can discuss which will work best for you. These can include: Telephone, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Whatsapp.

WHAT if I need to cancel a session?

Appointments may need to be rearranged from time to time. If an appointment needs to be rearranged, please make contact no later than 24 hours before your due appointment. Cancellations within 24 hours of an appointment or appointments that are not attended may still be charged for.

Are their circumstances in which fees can be reduced?

Under certain circumstances the cost of sessions can be reduced. This can be discussed at the initial consultation. Certain groups can request reductions - these include NHS staff, military veterans, returning patients, asylum seekers and refugees.

HOW is payment made?

Payment is made by bank transfer after each session takes place. No payments are needed in advance, but new sessions cannot be booked until payment has been made for the previous meeting.

ARE sessions confidential?

All sessions and communications are confidential. However, if there are concerns around risk or safeguarding then there may be a duty of care to inform others such as your GP. Where possible this will be discussed beforehand and done collaboratively. We can discuss the type of things this might involve so that you remain fully informed and remain empowered to share information how and when you choose to.

any other questions?

If there is anything else you wish to know then please make contact using the web form on the main page.