What is CBT?
CBT is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, what we do, and how our bodies feel are connected. When we are struggling, we can end up in patterns of thinking and responding that make us feel worse, and keep us stuck.
​
We may have learnt these patterns earlier in our lives, and CBT can help us to understand why we developed these patterns, and how to change them in the present day so that we can feel better. CBT does this by changing the unhelpful beliefs and assumptions, and the unhelpful coping strategies that maintain our problems.
​
CBT is a change focused, collaborative therapy, and involves trying out new skills and testing out new ideas in between the sessions.
​
Trauma-focused CBT is a type of CBT that has been specifically developed to help people to overcome Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
​
For more information on CBT, please click here: What is CBT? (babcp.com)
​
I offer CBT in Swaffham, Norfolk, and online.
​
What are CBT sessions like?
We will start by exploring the difficulties that are affecting you in the here and now. We will draw out a vicious cycle to help us work out what triggers your anxiety/depression, what thoughts go through your head, how they make you feel emotionally and physically, and what you do (or don't do) in response to these thoughts and emotions. This will show us what is keeping your issue going, and will point us towards what we will need to change in order for you to feel better.
​
We may explore any earlier experiences that have contributed to your anxiety/depression. We learn messages about ourselves, other people, and the world as we are growing up. Some of these can be unhelpful or unrealistic, and it can be useful to know why we react in certain ways in particular situations. Then we can make a conscious choice to change some of these patterns, to give you more flexibility and choice in how you react to situations, to help you live a more balanced, fulfilling and content life.
​
Then, we will try out new ways to think about yourself, and experiment with different ways to respond in situations. This means that you will need to test these new skills out in the "real world", not just in our therapy sessions. This can feel daunting at first, but I will help you to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
​
CBT is a therapy where we can both be flexible and creative in how we tackle your difficulties. My aim is to really understand your particular situation, and to tailor the treatment to make it as effective and helpful as possible.
​