What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

What is CBT?

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy (talking therapy) based on the idea that how you think and act affects how you feel. It can help in many different situations — with both mental and physical health problems.

Why CBT?

CBT has the most amount of scientific evidence available supporting its use, in comparison to all other therapy types in psychology. It is commonly referred to as the “gold standard” in psychology.

How can CBT help?

In CBT, you work with a therapist to recognise the patterns of thinking (cognition) and behaviour that cause you problems. Then CBT teaches you practical ways to learn or re-learn more helpful and healthy habits. Basically, the aim is to challenge and break the habit of negative thinking. Negative and unhelpful thinking can show itself in different ways.

For example,

Sam, a 32-year-old professional, seeks psychology for his/her debilitating anxiety, which shows up as constant worry about performance at work and fear of social situations. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Sam learns to identify and challenge their negative thought patterns, such as assuming others are always judging her and magnifying minor mistakes in their thinking . Her psychologist helps her reframe these thoughts more realistically and encourages her to gradually face her fears through exposing themself to situations that cause anxiety - using strategies to manage that anxiety in real time. Over time, Sam’s anxiety decreases significantly, and they gains confidence in their abilities and social interactions, allowing them to perform better at work and enjoy their social life more fully.

You can read more about CBT at the American Psychological Association (APA), Better Health Channel or Mayo Clinic.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is available from our Geelong Psychologist. Contact us for more details or to make a referral.