We’ve been hearing a lot recently about mental health and how many people in the UK are suffering. Chances are, if you are reading this that you have heard of CBT, it’s the buzz therapy at the moment. It’s recommended by doctors, counsellors, the government and the many people who have successfully been treated using it. It also has a load of science to back it up.
So, what is it??
It’s just counselling right??? I’ll lie on a sofa while some shrink gets me to talk about my relationship with my mother.
WRONG!
CBT is a brilliantly simple and practical way to deal with what can be very complex and distressing issues. It is usually one to one but can be done online or telephone (click here to find out more about what to expect in a session). The therapist works with you to understand what is going on for you why you came for therapy.
In its most basic terms CBT is all about finding out how our emotions are effected by our thoughts and the things we do. Once these links have been identified there are a multitude of exercises and strategies that you and the therapist can use to start you on the path to recovery. Click here to find out what can be treated using CBT.
Thoughts and behaviours are the target of CBT. These are the two things that keep us stuck in those ruts that are making us feel bad and stressed, whether it’s thinking you will make a fool of yourself if you go out or no one likes you, or drinking too much alcohol or bingeing. Once we learn to question our thoughts we can start to change them and with that out whole outlook can change. This can be hard especially if you are living with a core belief that isn’t very nice, such as, feeling worthless or unlovable. But don’t despair although it is hard to change these core beliefs CBT can help you to manage them and not let them grind you down anymore.
The biggest indicator of change is doing things differently.
CBT tends to focus on the present and how you are feeling now, so there is no need to spend a lot of time (and money) reliving the past. In some cases it will be necessary to look back, such as with PTSD or if there is issues continuing from childhood.
If you would like to find out more about CBT or would like to book an appointment, please contact me at openskytherapy.com.
I would also be really interested to hear your comments on CBT, has it worked for you? What did you find most useful? Has it been recommended to you?
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