​What is CBT ?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological therapy underpinned by the idea that the way we interpret the world around us , and the things that happen to us, influences our behaviour. CBT attempts to investigate whether these interpretations are accurate , and to achieve goals of psychological health and good functioning by changing  those interpretations and behaviours where necessary.

Goals are set at the beginning of therapy  and tasks (often thought diaries or behavioural experiments) are given to complete outside therapy sessions. 

CBT is popular as progress can be achieved  in a relatively brief number of sessions, and therapy sessions are an active dialogue between therapist and client aimed at giving the client strategies to manage their difficulties. There is a huge body of research proving that CBT can be effective with many different problems.  The emphasis during sessions is on the present and future,  rather than the past.