Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

What is it?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in  how we feel and what we do. 

It is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviours, not external things, like people, situations, and events.  The benefit of this fact is that we are able change the way we think, feel and behave, even if the situation does not change.

How does it work?

CBT is based on the scientifically supported assumption that most emotional and behavioural reactions are learned.  The goal of therapy is to help clients unlearn their unwanted reactions and to learn a new way of responding, rather than going into automatic and habitual ways of thinking and behaving.

CBT therapists believe that the clients change because they learn how to think differently and they act on that learning and they focus on teaching rational self-counselling skills.

CBT is a time limited, solution focused approach that concentrates on the client's goals.  It is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client. Cognitive-behavioural therapists seek to learn what their clients want out of life(their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals.  The therapist's role is to listen, teach, and encourage, while the client's roles is to express concerns, learn, and implement that learning.

The educational emphasis of CBT has an additional benefit - it leads to long term results.  When people understand how and why they are doing well, they know what to do to continue doing well.

What conditions can be helped with CBT?

CBT has been successfully shown to help adults and young people with various issues, including mental health and physical conditions. For example:

·         Anxiety disorders including phobias, panic attacks and panic disorder

·         Depression

·         Eating disorders

·         Obsessive-compulsive disorder

·         Body dysmorphic disorder

·         Anger Management

·         Post-traumatic-stress disorder

·         Communication and learning difficulties

·         Habits such as facial tics

·         Drug or alcohol abuse / Addictions

·         Sleep problems

·         Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME

·         Chronic (persistent) pain

 How Can I book a session?

As a professional Counsellor and CBT Therapist, you can book a private session with Alexandra Bacon in her clinics in Cromford, Derbyshire, Derby and Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire or on Skype.  To book your free 20 minute consultation, please contact us or phone: (+44) 07950 568635