What is CBT?

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is widely acknowledged as a successful method of treating many mental health issues. It is generally a short-term therapy and focuses on helping people to cope with specific problems.

CBT is based on the idea that people’s thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behaviour are closely related. For example, how people think and feel can affect the way that they behave.

By identifying unhelpful thoughts and finding alternative thinking habits, CBT provides a way of helping people feel better and overcome their difficulties. In turn, this means that people are better able to cope with their problems and attain their goals.

CBT also teaches people to apply the skills and knowledge learned during therapy in their everyday lives. This enables them, over time, to cope with problems themselves.