Are your feelings overwhelming?
Do you have difficulty making decisions?
Are your problems affecting your relationships & quality of life?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for many psychological problems, including anxiety and depression. CBT helps to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns, assumptions, beliefs and behaviours. This is important because what you think creates what you feel, and what you feel drives how you behave. So, what this can mean is that patterns of negative thoughts are triggered, causing low mood or an increase in anxiety. The resulting unhelpful behaviours tend to reinforce the negative thinking. This creates a viscous and negative cycle. You may realise it is happening but don't know how to stop it!

CBT differs from many other psychotherapies, because it's:

• pragmatic – helps identify specific problems and how to solve them
• structured – rather than talking freely, you and your therapist discuss specific problems and set goals for you to achieve
• focuses on current problems – mainly concerned with how you think and act now, rather than attempting to resolve past issues
• collaborative – you won't be told what to do. Your therapist will work with you to find solutions to your current difficulties

Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Pauline O'Connell is accredited with the BABCP. She will discuss your specific difficulties and set goals for you to achieve. CBT is not a quick fix – it involves hard work during and between sessions, but you will learn how to overcome your problems and gain control of your life long-term.

NICE recommends CBT in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders (including panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia and psychosis
• Bipolar disorder

There is also good evidence that CBT is helpful in treating many other conditions, including:

• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Physical symptoms without a medical diagnosis
• Sleep difficulties
• Anger management

For further information on your Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, click on the logo below: