There are many varieties when it comes to talking therapies, and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is amongst them. One of our in-house expert CBT therapists, Unnam, answers common queries and tackles misconceptions...
Common Queries:
What is CBT and how does it differ from other therapies?
Answer: CBT stands for cognitive behavioural therapy. It is a practical and structured talking therapy that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours to help improve how you feel. Most therapies explore the past in a lot more depth whereas CBT focuses on the present and helps teach tools and strategies that people can use in their daily lives.
How long does CBT therapy take?
Answer: CBT is usually a short-term therapy in comparison to different therapies. Many people see progress within 6-20 sessions depending on their symptoms. You will work collaboratively with your therapist to set goals and keep a track of your progress.
What If I feel worse before I feel better?
Answer: It is very common to feel discomfort at first. This can be due to several reasons such as being unfamiliar with talking about certain things or facing difficult thoughts or situations. However, CBT teaches you how to cope differently which usually leads to long-term improvement. Your therapist will support you throughout every step of your therapy journey.
What does CBT treat?
Answer: CBT treats a wide range of psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, health anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, anger/sleep problems, stress and worry.
Common misconceptions:
“CBT is just positive thinking”
Reality: CBT is about learning to identify and challenge any unhelpful or distorted thoughts and replace them with more balanced, rational and realistic thoughts.
“CBT ignores the past”
Reality: CBT does not ignore the past but focuses on the current patterns that keep the problem going. If past experiences are still influencing your beliefs and behaviours today, then CBT will address and explore that.
“CBT is only effective in-person and doesn’t work through video calls”
Reality: Numerous studies show that therapy via video call is just as effective as in person therapy for many common mental health difficulties. Clients can attend from home which reduces any barriers such as travel, illness, disability or location. This also means more flexibility with scheduling which can increase therapy consistency.
