Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that can help you manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is one of the most well-researched and effective forms of therapy for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and phobias. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
The good news about CBT is that if you try it and it doesn’t work, it’s ok. It won’t cause any lasting damage. Being a talking therapy means it’s not analytical. It’s about moving forward from where you are now and if, for whatever reason, it’s working, that’s ok. You can try something else or come back to it later.
CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all interconnected. When we have negative thoughts, it can lead to negative feelings and behaviours. CBT can help you identify and challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic and helpful ones.
It works on identifying your goals, developing coping strategies, and practicing new skills which you then keeping practising so they become habit. It’s not instant, but no therapy is.
CBT is not right for all mental issues and it won’t work if you aren’t motivated to try new things, to make some changes.
A major factor is the person you’re working with. It’s import you ‘connect’ with them. Some research suggests that the relationship with the therapist is just as important as the type of therapy used.
Another good thing about CBT is that it can be used without a therapist – this is called self-guided therapy. The way it’s written means that it’s easy to follow and work on your thoughts at your own pace. The majority of self-help books, certainly of the last 25 years, are all making use of CBT principles; change how you think about something, change the behaviour. If you’ve ever read one of those, or even part of one, then you’re already a ‘user’ of CBT. It’s also the principal behind Balance People. Self-guided CBT that will work around your life.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if CBT is right for you:
- Am I motivated to change my thoughts, feelings, and behaviours?
- Am I willing to put in the work required for CBT?
If yes, then CBT may be a good option for you.