Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence based talking therapy which works well with a range of difficulties such as Anxiety, Depression and Eating Disorders. It aims to understand links between thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical symptoms which can lead to negative ‘vicious cycles’. CBT offers strategies to help break these cycles and provide more positive coping mechanisms.
The diagram here shows how our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical symptoms can impact on each other and create these ‘vicious cycles’. An example may be that a person who is suffering from depression may begin to experience negative thoughts such as ‘nothing ever goes right’ or ‘it all seems too much’ which can lead to emotions/feelings such as sadness or despair. Understandably, when a person feels this way they will likely change the way they behave. For instance, they may stop doing their usual household chores or socialising. They may also then begin to feel physically more and more lethargic and can experience poor sleep. This can therefore lead to further negative thoughts. Different people will have differing coping strategies, thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms and hence CBT will initially help identify your own cycle. We will then work together to help break this. Though CBT tends to focus on the present, we can also explore how these cycles developed and what past experiences might have contributed.
I also regularly use a branch of CBT called ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), which works on on noticing, observing and being mindful of our thoughts, but being able to act in a helpful way despite them, rather than battling with them. Using ACT, we also explore what is important to individual clients and tailor the therapy to those values, ensuring that progress made is in line with what is meaningful to the lives of each individual.
The nature of CBT is generally structured and goal-oriented and you will be given tasks to do between sessions to help you make positive changes. At MindCalm, I can offer a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment in which we can work together to set goals and work towards achieving them in a manageable way. I take as flexible an approach as possible and try to adapt my sessions to the client where I can.