Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, usually referred to as CBT, is a form of talking therapy used to help tackle a number of mental health issues – commonly anxiety and depression.
Research has found that for some people it can be as effective as medication and it can even be used as an alternative to taking medication. Unlike other forms of therapy, CBT does not address the root issues of problems being faced, it tackles the present day situations people are in and helps to manage problems through changing the way people view them and behave.
Ultimately, CBT aims to breakdown problems being faced in a person’s life and shows them how changing thoughts and behavioural patterns can make it a lot easier to deal with. The therapy is based upon the idea that your behaviour is interconnected with thoughts, feelings and sensations – essentially if one of these is negative it can trap the bad thoughts and feelings in a cruel cycle.
What conditions can CBT help?
There are a number of conditions that CBT has been shown to have a positive effect on, you may be surprised to see that it is not confined to just anxiety or depression.
The below are some examples of the conditions that CBT has been proven to be a successful treatment for:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
- Eating disorders
- Insomnia
- Alcohol misuse
As well as the above conditions, CBT has seen positive results when being used to help people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
It is important to remember that CBT does not cure any of these conditions physical symptoms; what it does do is help people cope with them in day-to-day life and become more confident in living with them.
Key Considerations
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy might not suit every person, or indeed every condition but it is one of a number of therapies that are proven to help across a range of issues. There are a number of benefits for those that choose to go down the CBT route, including:
- The ability to receive a course of treatment in a relatively short period of time
- Potential for a life-long impact through the teaching of methods to effectively manage thoughts and behaviours for the patient’s issue
- As mentioned previously, CBT can be used in place of medication for a number of conditions
- It is a flexible form of therapy, allowing for flexibility when it comes to treating a range of issues
Even though there are key benefits to CBT, some of the aspects of it mean some will find it quite tough or unworkable. This could be down to the highly structured nature of the therapy or the fact that it involves devoting a number of hours to it away from the therapy room.
Most therapists and clinics would be more than happy to talk you through the pros and cons of CBT, as well as any other therapies they offer, and give you guidance as to the suitability of any therapy to your situation.
How to find a CBT Therapist
Coming to the decision to look at therapy can be quite a challenging decision and is often a very individual one. Talking to your GP can often be the first step in finding a suitable therapist and therapy for your issue, it can also be the pathway to NHS funded therapy – although this is only available in certain geographical areas and based on certain criteria. If there is not any free therapy available through the NHS, your GP will know of local therapist and clinics that they would recommend.
Once you have found a suitable therapist, it is important to speak to them and understand how any therapy you undertake will help and what the outcomes are likely to be.
You need to be comfortable speaking with your therapist and feel like you are in a safe and relaxing environment where you can make the most of your therapy. If you set yourself achievable goals and be open to the ideas your therapist will introduce, therapy can be a highly positive and life-changing experience.
Article provided by Klear Minds, a team of qualified therapists specialising in different psychotherapy practises from Victoria Avenue in London.