Over the past decade, the visibility of mental health has skyrocketed, with greater awareness than ever before. That’s great news for those who struggle with their mental well-being, as there are now dozens of treatments and therapies readily available – chief among which is CBT.
CBT has emerged as one of the most prevalent therapies for mental health conditions, with treatment available through the NHS and from private practitioners. But what is CBT? How does it work? And what does it take to become a CBT therapist?
Here, we’re taking an in-depth look at CBT, giving you everything you need to know about one of the UK’s most effective mental health therapies.
What is CBT?
CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, is a talking therapy focused on altering your mindset. Its aim is to confront negative thoughts and behaviour patterns by teaching you practical coping strategies.
These techniques improve your state of mind and give you the power to take control of your illness to get your life back on track. While it’s commonly used to treat anxiety or depression, CBT benefits other physical and mental conditions, too.
CBT is a combination of two therapies: cognitive and behavioural, which examine your thoughts and actions. Together, they provide an optimal solution for people suffering from mental health problems. Patients who stay with the programme are often rewarded with improved mental health and coping mechanisms.
What Mental Health Conditions Can CBT Help Treat?
While some disorders, such as depression, are widely discussed and have obvious characteristics. CBT has proven to be an effective way to deal with a range of mental health problems. Some of them you will have heard of, others you might not have even considered disorders. Also, this list is not exhaustible.
CBT has also been known to alleviate physical conditions such as arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, CBT cannot cure physical ailments.
How Does CBT Work?
CBT is a talking therapy, so it’s usually delivered via a one-on-one or group appointment with an accredited CBT therapist. That said, there are other means of delivering CBT treatment; take a look at the four main modes of delivery below:
Five prominent areas CBT tackles are situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions. By actively targeting each area, therapists can set attainable goals that slowly improve a patient’s coping ability, even after treatment.
What Are the Main Types of CBT Treatment?
Exposure Therapy
It’s possible to condition yourself to fear situations, thus leading to negative and avoidant behaviour. Exposure therapy aims to break this mindset by exposing you to the things you fear in a safe setting.
Various studies have documented CBT’s efficiency in treating disorders like OCD, PTSD and Phobias. Exposure slowly builds tolerance to things you fear to improve your lifestyle.
CBT Sessions
Sessions are designed to identify problems negatively impacting your life. Then it’s a case of planning each accordingly. You’ll partake in one-to-one exercises and techniques inside and outside the office to help you overcome these issues. Based on the severity of your condition, sessions run from 5-20 weeks, at 30-60 minutes at a time. Sessions are bespoke, so fit how you want to improve your lifestyle.
Computerised CBT
There are options to work through your problems at home with professional software packages. These self-help programmes will give you everything you need to manage your problems. However, you’ll have the option to speak with a therapist on occasion to monitor your progress. One great programme currently offered by the NHS is Beating the Blues, which helps treat people with mild depression.
How Do I Get CBT Treatment?
If you’re feeling like you can’t cope, seek help. Generally, there are two avenues: the NHS or a private therapist.
Firstly, it’s strongly recommended that you visit your GP before jumping to any conclusions or paying cash to therapists offering CBT services. A doctor can talk you through those initial steps to identify what’s right for you. Whether through an NHS IAPT programme or a privately recognised association with fully accredited therapists, if you prefer.
IAPT Programme
If you opt to wait and receive treatment through the NHS, you can partake in an IAPT programme, which is available in some areas of England.
Other options for therapy through the NHS might include:
If you opt for private therapy, you can expect immediate treatment. However, private therapy isn’t cheap and can cost anywhere between £40-100 a session. Also, it’s vital that the serving practitioner has the right qualifications and credentials to support your needs. Visit credible associations with accredited CBT therapists and talk to your GP who will likely be in touch with therapists offering services.
The internet is a hub of so-called therapists. So below, we’ll list three associations known for hosting accredited CBT practitioners:
What Are the Pros and Cons of CBT?
While CBT has helped many people lead better lives, it’s not suitable for everyone. Before jumping into therapy sessions, check out these pros and cons. Self-diagnosis is another form of negative behaviour, after all.
The Pros of CBT
The Cons of CBT
Learn More About CBT
CBT is vast! If the subject area is something that piques your interest, it's possible to study a CBT course online then why not delve deep into the crevices of the human psyche with our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Level 3 qualification?
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