Why CBT?

Some of you reading this will have either had Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or have heard of it. In my eyes, anything that sets out to understand what you are experiencing, learn about the limiting beliefs that have developed because of those experiences and then challenging them.... is CBT. How you do this will depend on the techniques used and the individual using them. CBT has hit the nail on the head when it comes to challenging thoughts and changing behaviour. However, the most important part of any therapeutic journey is to learn how to feel emotions. Recognising emotions linked to thoughts, physical sensations and behaviours is what takes CBT from guided self help to therapy.

By addressing limiting patterns and beliefs, often stemming from our childhood, CBT helps individuals reframe their thinking and develop healthier coping mechanisms. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. The beginning of therapy typically involves formulating what you have experienced and how that is influencing you in the here and now.

Why don't you try exploring a situation that has happened recently using the tool below. I often use this with patients to aim to come away from focusing on the situation and encourage reflecting on what it is bringing up for them. Are you being empathic towards your situation? Hard on yourself? Worrying? Avoiding?. Decipher the thoughts, physical sensations, emotions and behaviours (things that you did to stop yourself from feeling that way). Once you have done this feel free to leave some confidential feedback on the main page of this website. If you would like to bring your cycle to a session we could talk about how therapy can help to break the cycle.

Best Wishes

Charlotte Daly

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist