Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented, and problem- focused therapeutic intervention that focuses on understanding how you think (cognitive) and what you do (behavioural). CBT is based on the concept that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected and therefore influence each other. The idea is that the way in which a person interprets events influences their mood and behaviour. Therefore, if changes can be made starting by addressing thoughts, individuals can experience improvements in both physical and emotional experiences.

According to cognitive behavioural theory, there are three levels of thinking: 

• Conscious thoughts - rational thoughts and choices made in full awareness 
• Automatic thoughts - thoughts that flow rapidly that we may not be aware of
• Schemas - Core beliefs and personal rules for processing information that are often shaped by our life experiences 

During CBT therapy sessions, the client is an active participant in examining thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. In order to be most effective, CBT typically involves clients consistently practicing the strategies learned in therapy outside of the session. Some of these tasks involved in CBT treatment may include: 

• Tracking your thoughts and feelings in response to situations during the week 
• Challenging underlying assumptions that you may have 
• Understanding how past experiences have influenced your thoughts and feelings 
• Trying new behaviours