What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence based intervention which helps an individual to understand their difficulties and learn to manage their symptoms by making changes to their behaviour and the way they think about things.

It is a structured style of therapy, so each session will have an agenda so both the therapist and the client know what will be covered within the time and the aims of the session are clear. CBT is very collaborative with the therapist and client working together to understand the problem and implement techniques that aim to target the symptoms and improve mood.

CBT is designed to be a short-term treatment that equips an individual with the tools to be able to manage their current difficulties and develop confidence in being able to apply these tools to any future challenges that impact on their mood.

Homework

Between sessions, the therapist and client will agree on a homework task to be completed. This will be based on what has been covered in the session and could involve recording symptoms to gather accurate information or practising a particular approach or skill that has been learnt. The homework is essential to the success of CBT as it is the practice and application of the CBT skills that enables the client to feel more in control of their symptoms and notice an improvement in their mood.

Weekly sessions

CBT sessions take place weekly (one session per week). This is because CBT works best with regularly sessions.  Therapy can lose momentum quickly if there are large gaps between sessions, which can then result in a less successful experience of treatment.

What to expect

The initial 3 sessions are likely to be more assessment focused, establishing a shared understanding of what may have contributed to the problem and also what may be keeping the problem going. This is where areas for change will be identified, specific goals will be set and it will be my job to decide on the appropriate tools and techniques to introduce.

Most treatment protocols recommend between 12 – 16 sessions, however sometimes people may need a few more than this, or they may reach their goals in less than 12 sessions.

There is some space given for talking through recent challenges and past experiences and some discussion about the context that this creates for the current difficulties in mood. However, the focus will move towards interventions that facilitate change quite early on in treatment.

If you have any questions about what to expect from treatment, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Emma Mills Therapy