What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and well‑researched approaches in mental health. It has a strong evidence base for helping with many psychological difficulties and is considered the gold‑standard treatment for several of them.

CBT looks at the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical sensations. The core idea is that the way we interpret our experiences shapes how we feel and how we respond. In therapy, we work together to notice unhelpful thinking patterns and cognitive biases, and to gently challenge them. CBT also uses behavioural experiments, which involve trying out new ways of responding to situations and gathering fresh evidence that can shift long‑held beliefs and assumptions.

CBT is an active, collaborative therapy — often described as a “doing therapy”. It involves practicing skills both in and between sessions.  Engaging with the process creates meaningful, lasting change.