What is CBT?

CBT, or Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, is a talking therapy. It has been proved to help treat a wide range of emotional and physical health conditions in adults, young people and children. CBT looks at how we think about a situation and how this affects the way we act. In turn our actions can affect how we think and feel.The therapist and client work together in changing the client’s behaviours, or their thinking patterns, or both of these.

CBT works

There is a great deal of research evidence to show that CBT works effectively in treating depression. This research has been carefully reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

NICE provides independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective ways to treat disease and ill health. CBT is recommended by NICE for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

What can CBT help with?

NICE recommends CBT in the treatment of the following conditions:

• anxiety disorders (including panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder)

• depression

• obsessive compulsive disorder

• schizophrenia and psychosis

• bipolar disorder

• There is also good evidence that CBT is helpful in treating many other conditions, including:

• chronic fatigue

• behavioural difficulties in children

• anxiety disorders in children

• chronic pain

• physical symptoms without a medical diagnosis

• sleep difficulties

• anger management

CBT can be used if you are on medication which has been prescribed by your GP. You can also use CBT on its own. This will depend on the difficulty you want help with