Cognitive behaviour therapy, or CBT, places its emphasis on working in the ‘here and now’. It has a very wide and strong evidence base and is one of the most popular therapeutic approaches and .is designed to help with a range of emotional problems. It is based on the premise that events do not result in distress in and of themselves, but it is the meaning that events have for us that results in emotional difficulties.

Cognitive behaviour therapy is based on the premise that events do not result in distress in and of themselves, but it is the meaning that events have for us that results in emotional difficulties. The interesting point to note is that how you feel may depend on what you first think in this situation, yet this may not be correct.

Early life events, as well as more recent ones, can affect how we think of ourselves, others and the world. For example, life experiences involving actual or anticipated harm can result in a heightened sense of threat and that can lead to more frequent and heightened anxiety. Some who are more prone to perceive failure and rejection can be more susceptible to depression. These ways of thinking, beliefs and expectations that are borne out of one’s past experiences can become established and at times resistant to change.

At times we can behave in ways that are designed to help manage a difficult situation. However this way of coping can inadvertently maintain thoughts that underlie emotional difficulties. For example, when seeing a friend who doesn’t say hello we can avoid reaching out to him or her. In this case it is possible that avoiding contact with this person may maintain the assumption that they ignored you.

The aim of CBT is to identify unhelpful and persistent thoughts, sometimes called negative automatic thoughts that underlie distress and unhelpful behaviours that inadvertently keep it going. The process of therapy involves a collaborative process of guided discovery, whereby these thoughts can be identified and re-examined. CBT, is short-term and an effective form of therapy which can help to alleviate a range of emotional difficulties including anxiety disorders, depression, personality difficulties, eating disorders etc. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) as treatment of choice for many of these difficulties.