What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
The CBT model can be simplified as a balance of both cognitive and behavioural components.
Cognitive: our behaviours are mainly dictated by our thoughts and emotions.
Behavioural: because most behaviours are learned, then we can suggest behaviours can be unlearned and modified.
CBT is a psychological therapy and aims to reduce psychological distress and unwanted behaviours by altering thinking processes. Or, you can change how you feel by changing the way that you think. This thought/mood and thought/behaviour connection is pivotal to how we feel and how we behave, both positively and negatively.
CBT is a collaborative process between client and therapist where the client plays an active role in his/her own therapy. This model embraces the notion of skills-based learning and personal responsibility in the here-and-now. This process aims to increase self-awareness, self-understanding and facilitate self-control by developing more appropriate cognitive and behavioural skills. Such skills help to address "faulty thinking" and irrational beliefs that are usually biased, self-critical and negative.
CBT is a robust and the fastest growing form of psychotherapy as it is effective and rapid. CBT has become elevated above other forms of psychotherapy due to an extensive research base and general acceptability with GP's, psychologists and psychiatrists.