Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Our thoughts strongly influence the way we feel and, consequently, the way we behave. Sometimes whilst going about our day-to-day lives we engage in automatic thoughts, which may mean that there are times when we aren't always aware of what we are thinking but when our thoughts still influence our feelings.
For example, we might come home to find an envelope from the bank. We might push it to one side and go into the kitchen to have a cup of tea and, a few minutes later, have a panic attack. What happened?

Our train of thought might keep going from the letter to the cup of tea and we may engage in negative thinking about our financial situation, resulting in a catastrophic view of the future. These thoughts may produce changes in our body - a faster heart beat, rising adrenaline levels - which might culminate in a panic attack, but we might have no awareness how our negative thoughts and the panic attack are linked.

Sessions are structured: you and your therapist will set an agenda, you will focus on specific topics, and you will discuss targeted solutions. In your sessions your therapist will help you to discover how thoughts, emotions, and behaviour are often locked in a circular unhealthy pattern, and will help you to identify, challenge and reframe your unhelpful negative thoughts and assumptions.

Sometimes there will be homework, specific techniques or behaviours for you to implement. At times the homework may be challenging but you will always prepare for it in advance with your therapist.

The idea is to enter a zone that is mildly uncomfortable, but never overwhelming, where you can practically challenge some of your unhelpful patterns.