Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – what it is and how it works

1 minute read time

This evidence-based approach was developed by Dr. Aaron Beck in the ‘60s and quickly became very popular as a practical, goal-oriented and collaborative method in therapy. The main principle is that your thoughts, your feelings and your behaviour are interconnected. They can create a maladaptive circle in your life putting your mental health in danger.

CBT aims to help you first identify then change unhelpful cognitive distortions (read more about these here) and behaviours. You developed these beliefs and habits in an earlier stage of your life when they were useful but with time, they became self-destructive. CBT sessions are usually very structured to challenge these thoughts and behaviours this is why they can be so effective in various mental health conditions such as

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Addictions
• Phobias

I like using CBT techniques in my practice because many of my clients – if not all of them – have some self-destructive thoughts or a very critical voice in their mind that acts as a huge obstacle on their healing journey. If you recognised yourself, do not hesitate to contact me. We not only get rid of these obstacles together but I’m able to teach you skills to maintain your mental health in the long term.