CBP

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (also referred to as CBP or CBT) belongs to a group of talking therapies. Schemas (repeated behaviour), beliefs about ourselves and other people; our responses including thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviours are all connected. Therapy proposes that if we change one of these areas, we can beneficially improve our responses and manage our problems better.

CBT is a scientifically evidence-based therapy known to successfully treat a range of problems and mental health disorders. CBT works for different people and problems. It is widely recommended by national treatment guidelines across the UK, EU, and North America and continues to develop as a therapy.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective, proven treatments. CBT is recommended in NICE guidelines for many different problems, including:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Health anxiety

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic and panic disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Body dysmorphia

• Eating disorders

• Social anxiety

• Depression

• Low self-esteem

• Sleep disorders (insomnia)

• Tinnitus

• Menopause and perimenopause symptoms

• Long-term health conditions

• Depression

• Phobias, including emetophobia, needle phobia, animal and insect phobias, dental phobias.

When we are low or anxious, we may fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel.

CBT helps us to notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better. Therapy is client focused and can take the form of:

• Talking and developing a treatment map (formulation) to get a shared understanding

• Psychoeducation

• Self-monitoring

• Strategies to understand thought patterns, emotions and behaviours which may be maintaining the problem

• Graded exposure

• Exposure and response prevention

• Imaginal exposure

• Cognitive restructuring (modifying thoughts and beliefs)

• Experiments to support or test out identified beliefs

• Experiential exercises

• Mindfulness

• Worry and rumination management

• Learning relaxation, grounding and self-soothing exercises

• Out of session exercises to embed learning

• Devising a unique therapy blueprint