Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) is a very popular therapy – it is a very effective treatment in many areas, such as sleep, sports psychology, physical health problems, psychosis, relationship problems, and the common mental health problems of depression and the anxiety disorders.
It was developed back in the 1950’s by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis whose practises and research combined to develop into a cognitive approach that worked to identify thinking patterns and beliefs that were not always reliable and inportantly were detrimental to one’s quality of life; behavioural research helped therapists to understand how what we do – or don’t do – may also impact our beliefs or maintain our problems. A thorough assessment by an accredited CBT therapist will guide you to understand the drivers for your beliefs and your behaviours. Having insight is likely to enable the process of change naturally; also to motivate you to plan steps together with your therapist to work toward achieving what is important to you.
CBT has developed since the ’50s, to a so called ‘second wave’ CBT and more recently, ‘third wave’ CBT. Third wave CBT encompasses therapeutic approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassionate Focused therapy and also Mindfulness Meditation. These are special interest areas for Helen and she will incorporate them into her practise where appropriate and beneficial for the patient.
Therapists accredited by the BABCP (British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists) have passed a degree in CBT from an accredited institution. They must attend a prescribed amount of high quality training (Continued Professional Development) each year to ensure that their practise is continually refreshed and reviewed. They also keep up to date on the most significant recent research with the professional body’s quarterly publication of peer reviewed journal articles amongst other respected literature. Therapists may have certain patient groups that they mainly work with such as children or couples, and may have special areas of interest.