Cognitive behavioural Therapy

CBT is notably different from traditional counselling methods

The following are some of the major differences:

• Sessions are structured
• Treatment is goal-focused
• It is Time-limited. There will be an agreed number of sessions and an end to treatment. The ultimate goal in therapy is for you to be your own therapist following the completion of CBT.
• It is practical. Some sessions will focus on training you in new skills that will be helpful. Each week you will be asked to work on strategies outside of session to ‘try out’ these skills in your own life. It is important that you can commit to at least 30 minutes each week in your own time to implement these strategies and feedback the following week.

• While it is useful to understand significant events in the past, the focus of CBT is on the ‘Here and Now’. This may include understanding the impact of past events on your current situation.
• The CBT model emphasises that it is not events that cause emotion, but it is how we interpret and assign meaning to these events. This helps to explain why each of us can react differently to the same event and also how we find ourselves in a negative pattern that appears to repeat itself throughout our lives.
• Active participation in therapy: CBT encourages active involvement in the therapeutic process, empowering individuals to learn and apply new coping mechanisms, fostering a sense of control and self-efficacy in managing emotions and behaviours.

• You will always be treated with respect and compassion
• Treatment goals will be set by yourself and agreed by the therapist
• You can expect to be seen on time for your appointment
• Your consent will always be sought regarding treatment planning and content
• The therapist will always behave professionally and consistently in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics www.psychology.org.au

Our team friendly and experienced psychologists will help you to consider if CBT is right for you. Typically during the first appointment, we will describe a little about how CBT can be used to overcome things such as depression and anxiety.

In addition to learning about CBT we will also make suggestions about alternative approaches that you might like to consider. CBT is just one model that psychologists use, we also provide things such as schema therapy, narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and interpersonal therapy. Please get in touch with us to hear more about these options.