Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
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 negative 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 change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel. Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past.
It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
In CBT, problems are broken down into 5 main areas:
- situations
- thoughts
- emotions
- physical feelings
- actions
CBT is based on the concept of these 5 areas being interconnected and affecting each other. For example, your thoughts about a certain situation can often affect how you feel both physically and emotionally, as well as how you act in response.
How to find a CBT therapist
You can get psychological therapies, including CBT, on the NHS.
If you can afford it, you can choose to pay for your therapy privately. The cost of private therapy sessions varies. It usually costs £60 to £100 per session, but lower rates may be available to those on lower incomes.
There's also a directory of chartered psychologists on the British Psychological Society (BPS) website, some of whom specialise in CBT.
Free Online CBT Courses
A number of interactive online tools are now available that allow you to benefit from CBT with minimal or no contact with a therapist. You can access online CBT for free here and/or speak to your GP about access to Local Primary Mental Health Support Services.
Some people prefer using a computer rather than talking to a therapist about their private feelings. However, you may still benefit from occasional meetings or phone calls with a therapist to guide you and monitor your progress.
Find out more about self-help therapies.
The following organisations below also offer self-referrals for CBT: