CBT For Anxiety

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and effective form of talk therapy that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Its primary goal is to help you identify and change negative thought patterns and beliefs that may be negatively affecting you. In CBT, we explore how these unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs are formed, how they are maintained and how they impact your life. We will then work towards changing them into more helpful, rational ways of thinking providing a new perspective on life.

CBT is typically a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that equips you with practical strategies and coping skills to address specific issues, ultimately providing you the tools to bring about positive changes in your life and enhance your well-being.

How does CBT for anxiety work?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective approach for managing anxiety. CBT addresses anxiety by assisting you in identifying and challenging your negative thought patterns and irrational beliefs that contribute to your anxious feelings.

Its focus is on reframing these unhelpful thoughts into more balanced and realistic perspectives, while also working together to change unhelpful behaviours that hinder your personal goals and progress.

Here’s how CBT for Anxiety typically works:

1. Identifying Negative Thought Patterns:

CBT helps you recognise and address unhealthy, negative thought patterns contributing to anxiety. These patterns often include:

Rigid – Absolutist thinking: “Using terms like “MUST,” “HAVE TO,” “SHOULD,” “GOT TO” “
Awfulizing/Catastrophizing: (“it’s awful – the end of the world”)
Underestimating your ability to cope: (“I can’t stand this,” “I can’t cope”)
Self-criticism: (“I’m weak,” “I’m useless”)
Negative self-talk

2. Restructuring Thoughts:

Once these negative thought patterns are identified, CBT encourages you to reframe them into more realistic and balanced ones. This process reduces irrational fears and anxieties.

3. Emotion Regulation:

CBT teaches you how to manage your feeling and emotions. Techniques such as relaxation, deep breathing, and mindfulness help you cope with overwhelming feelings of anxiety.

4. Behavioural Changes:

CBT for anxiety addresses the behavioural aspect of anxiety by identifying and addressing unhelpful behaviours that can be destructive, such as avoidance and seeking reassurance. CBT encourages you to replace these behaviours with more constructive ones and gradually face anxiety triggers through exposure therapy. This approach helps build confidence in managing anxious situations.

5. Problem-Solving Skills:

CBT equips you with problem-solving skills to tackle challenges contributing to your anxiety. This involves breaking down complex problems into manageable steps.

6. Goal Setting and Self-Monitoring:

In CBT, we set realistic goals and track progress. This helps you monitor your progress, acknowledge achievements, and reinforce positive changes in your thoughts and behaviours.

7. Homework Assignments:

CBT often includes homework assignments where you practice the skills learned in therapy sessions in real-life situations. This reinforces the therapeutic process and helps you apply skills to daily life.

8. Relapse Prevention:

CBT teaches you to recognise early signs of anxiety and develop strategies to prevent relapse. It provides tools to cope with setbacks and maintain progress over time.

9. Personalised Treatment:

CBT for anxiety is tailored to your specific anxiety symptoms and triggers. We will work collaboratively together to create your personalised treatment plan.

10. Long-Term Benefits:

CBT equips you with skills you can use throughout your life. It not only eases current anxiety symptoms but also helps prevent future episodes and effectively navigating life’s ups and downs.

CBT emphasises a strong evidence base for treating various anxiety disorders, making it a preferred choice due to its effectiveness and focus on providing practical tools for managing anxiety.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

During the consultation, we can discuss your specific needs and goals, as well as any concerns or questions you may have about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a highly effective form of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to anxiety.

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CBT for Anxiety