What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy aimed to improve your mental health. CBT has been widely researched and demonstrated to be one of the most effective methods of treatment for a range of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and eating disorders. CBT is a solution-focused and goal-oriented approach that needs both therapist and the client involvement in order to be successful.  CBT aims to challenge any unhelpful ways of thinking, challenge unhelpful behaviours and to replace these with healthier coping strategies and more helpful thinking styles.  

Here’s an analogy to help understand the theory behind CBT. 

A person’s pattern of thinking is like wearing a pair of glasses that change the way we see the world. Depending on past experiences and who you are changes the way we interpret situations and experiences. CBT can help us understand how these glasses can distort our reality and help us to challenge the way we interpret the world around us.