Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a family of talking therapies based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are interconnected and impact how we feel and what we do. CBT in Doncaster can help to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, helping people cope with, or overcome, various problems.
CBT is a goal-focussed and active treatment where you will work with your therapist to create tasks and challenges to complete at home. These tasks are designed to help you make the most progress during therapy.
What can CBT help with?
At NHS Doncaster Talking Therapies, we can offer CBT for:
- depression
- generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
- social anxiety disorder
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- panic disorder
- specific phobias
- health anxiety
- agoraphobia
- body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- some eating difficulties.
How is CBT delivered?
In Doncaster, CBT is delivered either one-to-one or in a group format. Sessions are effective when delivered via video conferencing, telephone or in a clinic room. CBT treatment is made up of an assessment stage, a treatment stage and a relapse prevention stage.
Assessment can last for several sessions and allows the patient and therapist to gain a joint understanding of the problem and what seems to keep it going. Goals are set at this point.
The treatment stage involves the patient and therapist working together to make changes to thoughts, emotions and behaviours through a range of different tasks and exercises suited to the specific problem.
The relapse prevention stage is where a plan is made of how to maintain improvements once therapy has ended.
CBT is not a quick fix; it involves hard work both within and outside of the session. We find that people who engage with homework tasks tend to make the most progress in improving their lives.
CBT is time-limited and the number of sessions you require will be discussed with you at your first session. Typically, a CBT session will last for 50 minutes, and you will need to commit to attending regularly to make the best use of therapy.
NHS Doncaster Talking Therapies CBT therapists
The therapists who provide CBT at NHS Doncaster Talking Therapies are suitably qualified and accredited, or working towards accreditation, with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and work under the supervision of other CBT therapists.
Is CBT effective?
CBT has a good evidence base for a wide range of mental health problems, meaning it has been shown to be an effective treatment. The research has been reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) who provide independent, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on the most effective ways to treat disease and ill health.