Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What is CBT?

CBT is a relatively recently developed form of therapy. It has its main roots in Behaviour Therapy, and arose from a desire to apply this type of scientific or objective method to more subjective or psychological problems (e.g. like depression).

It is, as its name suggests a combination of cognitive techniques (these are mainly ideas to do with how we think) and behavioural techniques (ideas about how we act).

It is a very scientific approach, which involves losts of testing and checking. Most of the treatments concentrate on what is happening now, and not so much on the past or your childhood. It's main purpose is to help solve your particular problems, without going into your own personality too much. The therapist usually tries to work with you, as if you were working on some sort of project together. It determines clear goals for treatment and sets out to achieve them.

It is usually shorter than other forms of therapy and is very popular among people who work in the mental health field at the moment. That is partly because it's quite 'fashionable', and partly because it is cheap (e.g. doesn't last too long). It is also very effective at helping to sort out specific clear problems.

We have created a SimplePsych factsheet on CBT which goes into more detail while still using easy to understand English. If you would be interested in this service please let us know by emailing us Click Here

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*** RECOMMENDED BOOKS ***

If you are interested in going into even more depth, the following book(s), sold by Amazon.co.uk, are recommended by us. Each is followed by a rating for ease of reading (1-3).

1=Simple and Easy to comprehend.
2=More Complex but still a good read.
3=Very Complex, only for professionals/those studying to degree level.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychiatric Problems: A Practical Guide (Hawton et al.)

RATING SCORE = 3  A vital core-text for anyone intending to practise or study CBT. One of our Favourites!

Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond (Judith Beck)

RATING SCORE = 3  Another book written for students. Very useful for the audience that it is aimed at, but if you're an ordinary person (like most of us!) - forget it and go for our factsheet.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Marshall & Turnbill (Eds.))

RATING SCORE = 3  An excellent guide specifically written for Nurses.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Children & Families (Graham)

RATING SCORE = 3  Again one for the professionals.

Cognitive Therapy For Delusions, Voices & Paranoia (Chadwick, Birchwood & Trower)

RATING SCORE = 3  An excellent book explaining the exciting prospects of treating Psychosis with CBT.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy For Psychosis (Fowler, Garety & Kuipers)

RATING SCORE = 3  An early book in the exploration of the use of CBT in treating psychosis.

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