Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Overview

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented psychotherapeutic approach that addresses problematic thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to psychological issues

When to see a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective for a wide array of psychological concerns. Here are several reasons why people might choose to see a cognitive behavioral therapist:

Depression: CBT helps individuals with depression by teaching them to challenge and change unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improve emotional regulation, and develop personal coping strategies.
Anxiety Disorders: This includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, and more. CBT assists in managing anxiety symptoms by helping individuals confront their fears and reduce worry.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (CBT, often in the form of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), helps individuals with OCD to gradually face their fears without performing compulsive rituals.)
Anger Management (CBT helps individuals recognize triggers and signs of anger and learn strategies to calm down and handle situations in a constructive and positive way.)
Stress (CBT provides tools for better managing and coping with stressful life situations, including work-related stress, family issues, or major life changes.)
Substance Abuse and Addiction (CBT can help people with addictions understand the thoughts and emotions that underlie their addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms.)
Eating Disorders (For conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, CBT helps address the thoughts and feelings that affect eating behaviours.)
Sleep Disorders (CBT can be used to treat insomnia or other sleep disorders by addressing the thoughts and behaviours that disrupt sleep and developing good sleep habits.)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (CBT helps individuals process and evaluate traumatic memories and the feelings associated with them.)
Chronic Pain (While it doesn’t reduce the physical pain, CBT can change the way people perceive their pain and help them manage it more effectively.)
Relationship Issues (CBT can assist individuals or couples in understanding and improving damaging interaction patterns.)
Low Self-Esteem (CBT helps to identify negative self-beliefs and replace them with positive ones.)
Problem-Solving (CBT provides tools to help people approach problems in a more positive and effective way.)
Procrastination and Time Management (It aids in understanding the root causes of procrastination and developing actionable plans to overcome it.)

How to prepare for an appointment with your CBT practitioner

Before your first consultation, there will be a GDPR and Consent Form emailed to you. Please fill this in before the consultation.

What you can expect from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Structured Format
CBT sessions are highly structured. Each session may focus on specific issues, and rather than discussing your life broadly, you and your therapist will work on predefined problems and objectives. This approach is both practical and focussed, aiming for tangible improvements in behaviour and thought patterns.

Problem-Specific Goals
Unlike more open-ended therapies, CBT is problem-oriented. You and your therapist identify particular problematic behaviours or thought patterns and then apply CBT techniques to modify them. The therapy is focused on current problems and finding solutions for the same.

Active Participation
Expect to be an active participant in your therapy. CBT often involves assignments or homework that you are required to complete outside of your sessions. These tasks are designed to reinforce the learning and practices from the session into your daily life.

Duration and Frequency
CBT is known for being a relatively short-term therapy compared to other therapeutic modalities. It typically involves sessions that might range from 5 to 20 meetings, depending on your specific needs and the progress you make.

Emphasis on Education
CBT educates you about your particular condition as a part of the therapy process. The therapist will often explain how cognitive behavioural processes work, helping you understand why certain thoughts or behaviours are problematic and how to tackle them.

Techniques Employed
Numerous techniques may be used during the sessions, such as exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, or relaxation exercises, all aimed at altering unwanted behaviour patterns and fostering positive change.

Through these structured and direct approaches, CBT can effectively help you deal with a range of psychological issues by altering the way you think and behave, improving your mental health and quality of life.

Our Approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Sarah is highly experienced and knows that ‘one size does not fit all’.

Thus, our CBT practitioner will have a telephone call with you before you book in for your first consultation. And if Sarah thinks that she is not the right fit for you, she will let you know and recommend someone else.

To find out more about Sarah, look at their profile. You can do this by clicking ‘View More’ below.

Practitioners

Sarah Hall

Counsellor, Hypnotherapist & Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Aston Clinic London is a third-generation complementary health clinic based in New Malden and serves the local areas of Kingston, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Surbiton, Thames Ditton, Hampton Court, Chessington, Worcester Park, Sutton, Morden, Richmond, Putney, Teddington, Twickenham and other areas of southwest London and Surrey.