What is CBT?

CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Training Therapy is based on the psychotherapeutic approach which is used by psychologists and therapists to help promote positive change in individuals, to help alleviate emotional distress, and to address a myriad of psycho/social/behavioural issues. Aaron T Beck, a Professor of Psychiatry, developed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy during the 1960’s and it has continued to grow within the medical field since that date with growing evidenced based treatment for a number of common conditions from anxiety to depression.

CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy  is based on the Cognitive Model of Emotional Response.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviours, not external things, like people, situations, and events.  The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change. Cognitive Behavioural therapists identify and treat difficulties arising from an individual’s irrational thinking, misperceptions, dysfunctional thoughts, and faulty learning.

What is the difference between CBT and other talking treatments?

CBT tends to deal with the ‘here and now’ – how your current thoughts and behaviours are affecting you now. It recognises that events in your past particularly thought patterns and behaviours learned in childhood have shaped the way that you currently think and behave. However, it does not dwell on the past, but aims to find solutions to how to change your thoughts and behaviours so that you can function better in the future.

Can be used for: Anger; Addiction; Certain anxiety disorders including panic attacks and panic disorder; Depression; Eating disorders; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Pain management; Performance anxiety; Phobias; Post-traumatic-stress disorder; Sports performance; Stress management.