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Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment for mental health conditions. Treatment usually takes between 8 and 20 sessions.

It is a combination of cognitive therapy, which can modify or eliminate your unwanted thoughts and beliefs, and behavioural therapy, which can help you to your change behaviour in response to those thoughts.

Cognitive techniques (such as challenging negative thoughts) and behavioural techniques (such as exposure therapy that gradually desensitises you to your phobia and relaxation techniques) are used to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression by changing your thoughts, beliefs and behaviour.

CBT is based on the assumption that most unwanted thinking patterns and emotional and behavioural reactions are learned over a long period of time. The aim is to identify the thinking that is causing your unwanted feelings and behaviours and to learn to replace this thinking with more positive thoughts.

The therapist does not focus on the events from your past (such as your childhood) but focuses on current difficulties at the present time. The therapist will be able to teach you new skills and new ways of reacting.

CBT can be used alone or in conjunction with medication. This depends on your condition and its severity.

Department of Health guidelines support CBT for conditions such as depressive disorders, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bulimia, and chronic fatigue (1)

A number of professionals use CBT, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, counsellors, and social workers. It is practised by clinical psychologists within the NHS, although this is not available everywhere and tends to vary across the UK. Many private therapists use CBT; the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) hold registers of accredited practitioners.

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